Mexico came within one match of a district title.

In the team district finale, Palmyra slipped by the Bulldogs 5-4 at the Fairgrounds Park Netplex on Thursday to capture the title. But Mexico put up a solid second place showing.

"We played some of our best tennis of the year and competed against a very strong team," said head coach Kim Costley. "This team's accomplishments are among our highest."

The Bulldogs chances appeared auspicious from the start. In doubles play, Jocelyn Garcia and Estrella Lopez overwhelmed Palmyra's Abbey Marin and Jeorgia O'Brien 8-2.

Although Lily Yager and Winona Whelan lost their match, the number one battle between Mexico's tandem of Shelby Kennemore and Katie Gooch and Palmyra's Kaitlyn Rindom and Maura Gottman swung like a pendulum.

Close throughout, the Bulldogs' pair eventually slipped behind, 6-8. Yet the outcome promised a singles round that could go either way.

"We say it all the time -- 'believe in the process,'" Costley observed. "Several of these girls are three-year players who believed in the process, and the results followed."

Kennemore took down Rindom 6-2, 6-2 in the number one slot. Garcia struggled to put away Marin in the first set, but handled her in the second to capture a 7-5, 6-2 win. Meanwhile Yager cruised in the first and third, came close in the second for a 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 victory.

Lopez and Whelan could not catch their opponents. But Gooch fought hard for the championship point.

Throughout the first set against Maura Gottman, she threatened to seize control. But the Palmyra number two finally gained the upper hand. The second was a battle, but Gottman pulled away.

Gooch fell 4-6, 2-6.

Mexico earned second place in districts and went 11-4 on the season.

"It's been a great year," Costley said.