SPORTS GROUCH

A shot at repeating as S.C. High School League Class 5A girls’ tennis champion was one win away for River Bluff on Monday.

Up 3-2, the Lady Gators were a victory in either singles or doubles against Wando of advancing to the state finals Saturday at the Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center.

Instead, the Lady Warriors won both matches to claim the 4-3 victory and defeat the Lady Gators. River Bluff ended the season with a 16-3 record after making their third consecutive Lower State final.

Another Chronicle Country team competing for a berth in the state finals in a different sport was Lexington. The Lady Wildcats played host to the Class 5A Lower State volleyball final against defending champion Wando.

Lexington (36-7) entered the contest having dropped 15 straight matches to the Lady Warriors (48-3). The winner faces either T.L. Hanna or Nation Ford in the Class 5A final at 7 p.m. Saturday at White Knoll High School. Read about the Lexington/Wando results at www.lexingtonchronicle.com .