The Tiger Tennis team put their first victory on the boards tonight in a win over Willow Springs, 5-4. Starting with Singles, I started to get concerned when the first two girls walked off the court early with losses.  Thankfully, the group stuck together and walked into doubles in a 3-3 team score tie.  Lindzie King, Mykaela Baze, and Shonda Frazier all played long matches, but finished at the top.  Needing two more wins at doubles to take that team lead, Lindzie King and Mollie Henry brought us the first win.  These girls have really stepped up in their ability to compete together.  They communicate well, complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and move as a unit.  Assigning doubles partners for the season is always my least favorite part of my job as coach. There are so many factors to consider, but these two really seem to make things work together.  I’ve been proud to see how they’ve held each other up and fought for each other on the court, not just themselves.  Mykaela Baze and Ryhia Stevenson also played a very good match, despite the final score.  Taking the lead from the start, these girls dominated most of the game.  They each had many smashes at net and set each other up for victory.  Unfortunately, we finished with the most errors when we allowed Willow to take us to a tiebreaker.  Starting the tiebreak off in a 3-3 tie at changeover, small little setbacks seemed to dominate our thinking, ending the tiebreaker 3-7.  Finally, the team win came down to the last match.  Again, taking the lead early, Shonda Frazier and Helene Houston pulled out in front, 7-2.  Only needing one more game to win as a team, the girls dropped their next 2 games.  With the team win on their shoulders, the girls finished off their final game, winning 8-4 and pushing the Tigers ahead. 

The Tigers have a night off before hitting the road again on Thursday for a double dual in Springfield against Hillcrest and Parkview.  Friday, Tiger tennis will take on area Richland at the middle school as the Waynesville School District works to resurface the high school tennis courts. 

Singles

Lindzie King vs. Michaela Cox, 8-6

Mollie Henry vs. Alana Biehl, 2-8

Mykaela Baze vs. Katie Burgess, 8-6

Ryhia Stevenson vs. Kianna Rothermich, 3-8

Helene Houston vs. Kelsey Walton, 1-8

Shonda Frazier vs. Riley Pool, 8-6

Doubles

King/Henry vs. Cox/Biehl, 8-6

Baze/Stevenson vs. Burgess/Rothermich, 8-9 (3-7)

Houston/Frazier vs. Walton/Pool, 8-4