Wood County Christian’s Ellie Piatt ambraces her mom and head coach Susan Piatt after clinching the Division II girls singles state championship Saturday at Kanawha City Community Center. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

CHARLESTON — Ellie Piatt. State champion. It has a nice ring to it.

“It sounds amazing,” the Wood County Christian sophomore said with a smile.

Piatt put on a dominant display in the Division II girls singles tournament Saturday at Kanawha City Community Center to bring home the state title.

“I’m really happy,” Piatt said. “I give God all the glory. A lot of hard, long days of tennis, and definitely practicing with my brother helps.”

Piatt began the morning by squaring off against fellow Wood County 10th grader Peyton Woodburn of Williamstown in the state semifinals. Piatt prevailed 8-2 to secure her spot in the championship match against Trinity Christian’s Catharine Street — who defeated Woodburn’s sister Addison 8-6 in the other semi.

Wood County Christian’s Ellie Piatt returns a ball during her Division II girls singles state championship match Saturday at Kanawha City Community Center. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

Piatt came out of the gates firing on all cylinders in the finals, winning the first three games with ease. She trailed for the first time 40-15 in the fourth game before taking the next four points to go up 4-0. She led 15-love in the fifth game when she and Street had an extended rally. Piatt finally ended it with a sharp backhand out of Street’s reach.

“Let’s go!” Piatt shouted in excitement before taking the next two points to go up 5-0. She didn’t give up a point in the sixth game as she claimed a 6-0 victory in set No. 1.

“I was really feeling it,” Piatt said. “I was hitting the ball clean. I was using the smart shots and just playing really well.”

Piatt jumped ahead 3-0 in the second set, but the games were becoming more competitive as Street began playing a bit closer to the net. Street finally prevailed in the fourth game to cut it to 3-1, but Piatt regrouped and won the final three games without much trouble.

After the seventh and final game was over, Piatt shared a long embrace with her mom Susan — who is also the Wood County Christian head coach.

“It was really cool,” the younger Piatt said of that moment. “It was like — it actually hit me that I’m a state champion.”

Coach Piatt was impressed with the way her daughter performed on the state’s biggest stage.

“She stayed tough,” she said. “I told her she needed to start strong, and she did. I told her she needed to finish strong, and she did. I’m just really proud of her.”

It was something of a full-circle moment for the Piatts, as Susan recalled a trip she made to states with Ellie four years ago.

“She’s had a goal for years,” Susan said. “Probably when she was in sixth grade, I took her to the state tournament, and she had a goal then of winning. So, here we are, and it’s pretty cool.”

Ellie added, “It’s cool seeing all these players playing here. Whenever I was younger, watching them and now I get to become one.”

Ellie’s road to defending her state title next year won’t be easy as Street and the Woodburn sisters will be among the candidates looking for redemption.

For now, though, Wood County Christian’s trophy case becomes a little bit heavier.

“Giving God all the glory on this,” coach Piatt said. “There’s been a lot of hard work and also a lot of prayer. We’re definitely giving God all the glory and honor.”

At Kanawha City Community Center

Semifinals

Ellie Piatt (Wood County Christian) d. P. Woodburn, 8-2

Catharine Street (Trinity) d. A. Woodburn, 8-6

Finals

Piatt d. Street, 6-0, 6-1