Marlboro duo wins third straight MHAL crown

Marlboro’s Grace and Emily Messenger three-repeated as MHAL tennis champions. The sisters had to rally to win in a three-set championship final to defeat Spackenkill’s Sarah McCall and Cynthia Ma.

Marlboro High’s Grace and Emily Messenger three-repeated as Mid-Hudson Athletic League tennis champions.

The sisters had to rally to win in a three-set championship final to defeat Spackenkill’s Sarah McCall and Cynthia Ma. The Spartan duo won the first set 7-6 on a 7-4 tiebreak, but the Messengers battled back to win the next two sets 6-4, 6-2.

It was the same situation in the semifinals with the Messengers rallying to beat Roosevelt’s Katrina Ackerman and Ashley Dolan 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

McCall and Ma advanced to the finals with a 6-4, 7-6 (4) triumph over Spackenkill teammates Leona Lau and Emily Ma.

Rachel Li continued Spackenkill’s reign in singles with a 7-6 (4), 6-3 triumph over Wallkill’s Emily Savage for the championship. The Spartans’ Sophia He won the title last year.

Li downed Mehal Mitra 6-2, 6-1 in the semifinals, while Savage defeated New Paltz’s Natalie Meyer 6-4, 6-2.

Everyone who made the quarterfinals in singles and doubles qualified for the Section 9 tournament, which begins Thursday at Goshen’s Match Point Tennis Complex.