Two days after the Baylor School girls had to settle for their fourth straight runner-up finish in the Division II-AA team tournament, Helen Guerry and Sloane Proffitt enjoyed a measure of redemption for themselves and their program by becoming the Lady Red Raiders' first doubles state champs since 2018.

Even before Friday, those two had been on the doorstep of a state title multiple times. Guerry, a senior, has been on the past four runner-up teams, and she was a doubles semifinalist in 2021, a doubles runner-up in 2022 and a singles runner-up last year. Proffitt's resumé has a pair of runner-up finishes in team play and was a doubles runner-up a year ago.

The two were in a daze of sorts Thursday after the Lady Red Raiders' 4-3 to Knoxville Catholic in the team final the day before, but they rallied to advance to the doubles final. In an all-Chattanooga title match against sophomore Maud Fiorello and freshman Addie Tabibiazar of GPS, Guerry and Proffitt won 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

"I feel like I've been in this situation before and I got second again," Guerry said. "It's been quite annoying just every time getting second, but this year I had a really good feeling, and I knew Sloane and I could do it. Wednesday really hurt, but everything happens for a reason, and I bet they'll get (the team title) next year, and I can't wait to watch them do it."
Added Proffitt: "That first match yesterday, we were just really sad, but at some point, we just had to move on. And I think honestly, we played great today."


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