St. Pius X, the state’s No. 2-ranked tennis team, proved too tough a hurdle for Cartersville, and they ended the Lady Purple Hurricane’s season Tuesday, 4-0.

Head coach Melissa Moore said Cartersville was competitive throughout the evening but its players were victimized “by the little things.”

“They played very hard and we’re real proud of them,” Moore said. “The scores don’t reflect how close the matches were. We were very competitive, and our girls gave their best effort.”

In line 1 singles play, Adrienne Green lost, 3-6, 2-6, while in singles line 2 play, Darian DeFrench fell 0-6, 1-6.

At singles line 3, Maddy McGinnis had won the first set, 7-5, but her game was called after St. Pius claimed enough wins to take the match.

In doubles line 1 play, Mallory Walker and Ali Norwood lost 1-6, 2-6, while at line 2 doubles, sisters Annabeth Fox and Charleston Fox lost 4-6, 3-6.

Moore said by its play St. Pius appeared very deserving of its lofty state tennis ranking and Cartersville’s players were able to challenge them, something that could help them in the coming year.

“One of St. Pius’ singles player hadn’t been defeated all season,” she added. “Their doubles players were just overpowering, but our girls stood their ground.”

She said the Lady Canes left their games on the court.

“They played very well for their school. All we could ask of our players is that they play their best. They gave us 110 percent. We’re real proud of them.”

Moore said Cartersville’s serves dropped in and they gave it a lot of effort.

“It was the little things that did us in, a mistake here and a mistake there,” she said.

The coach said the players now will put a wrap on their season as many of the players will be moving on to tournament play this summer.

“Hopefully they will get together on their own in the off season and play against one another,” she said. “We’ll be getting back together next year, and we’re looking forward to that.”

She noted most of the Lady Canes are eligible to return next season.

“We have one senior that we’re losing, Adrienne,” she said. “We’re a young team.”

The loss means St. Pius (11-5) advances to the Elite 8 round of the state playoffs.

Cartersville fell to 11-4 with the defeat, its final victory coming against Lanier, 4-0, a win that advanced it to the Sweet 16 round.