By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — Elizabeth Gardiner had just lost her first match of the tennis season.

It was not a match against another team. In fact, the regular season had not even started. The loss came in a challenge match against teammate Sarah Moomau for Handley's top spot.

"It definitely pushed me to work harder and improve my game," Gardiner said. "After that match, I was disappointed with how I played and the outcome of it. She's only going to get better. I knew I needed to step it up to be able to play her."

The two played a second challenge match right before the end of the regular season and Gardiner prevailed. The win gave her even more confidence which she carried with her throughout the postseason.

"They were close both times," Gardiner said of the challenge matches. "It's great having her on the team and she's such a great competitor. She plays to the last point, so mentally you have to stay tough throughout the whole match because you know that she's going to get the ball back, or really push you to hit a winner, or hit a better shot."

Gardiner, The Northern Virginia Daily's Girls Tennis Player of the Year, said the matches also helped her deal with stressful situations the rest of the season.

One of those times was against Western Albemarle's Shannon Bayliss in the Region II individual singles final. Gardiner was down 5-1 in the first set, but rallied with four straight games and eventually pulled out a three-setter to advance to the Group AA state semifinals.

Even though she would lose in the semifinals, the junior was very happy with her first season at No. 1. She said her improved mental toughness was a big key to her success.

"Getting to play hard matches all the time and being pushed in practice by other girls on our team definitely improved me to stay focused and work for every point," Gardiner said. "I think I've learned a lot through a lot of tough matches that I played this year. I really dug into a lot of matches."

Gardiner also garnered plenty of respect from her teammates.

"She gives us confidence, because she's a really good player all-around," Handley junior Mykenzie Garrett said. "She plays her heart out on the court. She's a great doubles player. I love playing with her. She's one of the most valuable players on our team. I just love — love her in general."

Handley lost three players from last year's team, including Kristin Gordon, who now plays at East Carolina University. The Judges didn't miss a beat this season as they went undefeated for the second-straight year and won the school's fourth state girls tennis title.

Gardiner, who began taking tennis lessons with Garrett when she was around 8 years old, said she was not really committed to playing the sport until she saw her brother, Daniel, win a state championship with Handley several years ago.

This summer, Gardiner is hoping to help and encourage younger players when she works at tennis camps in the area. Gardiner said she would love to be a coach someday.

"I definitely like working with younger kids," Gardiner said. "A couple summers ago I did a camp for parks and rec. I just did it for one week. I was like, 'Wow, this is definitely fun.' I've been a camp counselor in a lot of things — little nature camp, too. I enjoy working with kids. It's always fun."

Gardiner is hoping to have even more fun in her senior year. The Judges had only one senior on the team this season, so expectations will be high. Gardiner said she also wants to do even better individually, including doubles where she and Garrett lost in the Region II finals this season.

"I'm definitely excited about next year," Gardiner said. "A lot of girls will be coming back to the team — almost all of them. Everybody's working hard to improve their game. Hopefully, we can go back for all three — that's definitely a goal."

R Contact Tommy Keeler Jr. at tkeeler@nvdaily.com

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