Last week the Avery tennis team played a pair of matches as Western Highlands Conference action kicks into full gear.On September 21st, inclement weather forced the home match with
In singles action, Lady Viking Anna Melton defeated Kasey Owen 8-6, while Avery teammate Hayden Blackburn upended Claire McCurry 8-1. In doubles play the team of Melton and
“I didn't know what to expect with Thomas Jefferson. This is the first year we are playing them, and as we prepared for the match I told the girls to expect the unexpected and be ready to battle,” Avery head tennis coach Rhiannon Manis said after the win. “I feel like we played like we should, considering we were coming off a weekend, had never played this team before, and had to play indoors. Thomas Jefferson is a good team whom I expect will be even better the next time we see them towards the end of our season.”
The following afternoon, the Lady Vikings journeyed to
Anna Melton was defeated by Heritage’s Penny Lane Buckner 6-10, while Lady Viking teammate Hayden Blackburn fell to Alecia Babb 8-10. Leah Powell (A) fell to Lauren Street (MH) 9-10 (4-7 tiebreaker), but Lauren Avery (A) won over Alex Brost (MH) 10-3, Morgan Stout (A) defeated Brianne McFee (MH) 10-0, and Haley Shell (A) downed Lauren Reeler (MH) by a 10-4 final match score.
“We had some very close matches in the top three positions in singles that were tight all through the match,” Coach Manis said. “The games were close and the points were long and intense. We sometimes just let unforced errors occur on game points.”
In doubles play, the Avery team of Melton/Blackburn lost to the team of Buckner/Street 7-9, Avery’s tandem of Powel/Avery lost 6-8 to Heritage’s Babb/Brost, and the Avery team of Stout Shell earned a shutout 8-0 win over the team of McFee/Reeler.
“Mountain Heritage is a strong team, however I feel like we competed very well. I am very proud how the girls battled through and made their opponents earn each point and game,” Coach Manis said. “Haley and Morgan secured a win for us only needing one more. The number one and two doubles were also great matches played by both teams. They were also close from the beginning to end. Again I am pleased how we competed against Mountain Heritage in singles and doubles. Even though it is a loss, I don't feel like the team has anything to be ashamed of regarding how they all performed in the match.”
Despite the loss, the Lady Vikings are confident that they are still players in the conference title hunt.
“I know that the girls wanted the win over Mountain Heritage. I could see it in there body language and how they performed in each point. I believe that the match supports what I tell the girls, and that is that they are talented and are able to compete with every team that we play,” Coach Manis stated. “We have played each team once and I feel confident about how we have played thus this far, win or lose. However, the teams always improve throughout the season and when we start for round two against each one we are going to have to be ready. With the type of hard work and determination that I have seen the girls put forth so far in the season, I believe that we could be in the playoffs again this year in addition to individuals and doubles teams competing in the regional tournament.”
Avery takes the court this week in matches at
