The Avery girls tennis team took to the road for a pair of tough foes in Western Highlands Conference action last week.Early last week the Big Red traveled to take on a talented Owen Warlassies club. Earning wins for Avery in singles play were Lauren Avery over Owen’s Julie Brandon (10-6) and Morgan Stout over Johna Slicker (10-8). Avery’s Anna Melton fell in a tie-breaker against Owen #1 Abby Slicker (9-10).
Doubles matches were led by a victory from the team of Hayden Blackburn and Melton, with strong showings by the teams of Leah Powell and Lauren Avery, as well as the duo of Morgan Stout and Haley Shell.
On September 17th the Lady Vikings traveled to Jackson Park in
Anna Melton bounced back from her tough defeat at Owen to defeat Shae Thurlby (10-5), while Hayden Blackburn defeated Shelby Caruso (10-4). Avery’s Leah Powell beat
In doubles action, Avery swept the three matches as the teams of Melton/Blackburn won by an 8-2 margin, Powell/Avery was victorious by an 8-0 score, and the team of Stout/Haley Shell earned an 8-5 triumph.
“The girls are continuing to improve and work hard. I feel like if we continue to play the rest of our matches the way we have started this season, we should be very successful in the conference,” Avery head tennis coach Rhiannon Manis said.
Avery boasts a number of veteran players, and their influence and leadership is being felt throughout the squad.
“My top four players have been with me for four years and know where this team began when I first came on. This really helps by allowing them to share how successful we can be,” Coach Manis added. “The first year we won only two matches and last year the girls made it to the second round of the dual team playoffs. We have a few other girls that this is their second year. They have chosen to return and they too see that we can compete with the other teams and be successful. It sets up a great competitive spirit amongst all the girls.”
This year’s tennis team has a variety of strengths to draw from and have already shown its ability to respond to adversity. At the same time, however, the team also knows it must become strong in other areas to reach its goals.
“Our girls have determination, spirit, and the skills we need to win. The girls don’t want to lose, and they continue to work hard at practice and want to learn from each match that we play so that they can improve and get even better for the next one,” Coach Manis said. “The girls tend to lose confidence in themselves if they get down in a match. Tennis is very much a mental sport as well as physical, and so you must have a clear mind at all times so that you may focus on what you are doing out on the court. With trying to balance being an athlete with academics, work, and a social life, it can all become overwhelming.”
Avery tennis hosted and defeated
