Five down, five to go.
The Madison County girls’ tennis team (7-2) completed a perfect 5-0 run through the first half of the subregion schedule with a 5-0 drubbing of Clarke Central Tuesday.
“I’m very proud of our kids in the way that they have played the first round through the subregion opponents,” coach Keith Strickland said.
Aiming for a no. 1 seed in the April 16-17 region tournament, Madison County looks to protect that perfect record during the second half of the subregion slate.
“We’ve just got to maintain our intensity and bring it back as we meet all five teams for the second time after spring break,” Strickland said.
Madison County won all five matches decisively against the Lady Gladiators Tuesday as it shutout another Region 8A-AAAA team.
“Our girls put the pressure on early and took all the matches in straight sets,” Strickland said.
The Lady Raiders came into the match following a non-region loss a day earlier.
Madison County won at both doubles positions, but fell in singles play in a 3-2 loss to North Oconee Monday.
“We had some really good play from our doubles teams,” Strickland said. “We knew going into this match that they would be a very tough team to beat.”
Sarah Powers and Sam LaZear won 6-3, 6-3 at no. 1 doubles, while Alexia Supakorndej and Kaitlyn Hale prevailed in two tie-breakers to win their match in straight sets at no. 2 doubles.
Supakorndej and Hale have not lost a set in the last seven matches.
Prior to that, Madison County blanked Cedar Shoals 5-0 March 19 to move to 4-0 in the subregion.
The Lady Raiders won in straight sets at four of five positions as they dominated another 8A-AAAA foe.
“The girls know the key is to make the opponent remember the last time you played them,” Strickland said. “Winning the first match-up is very important to establishing yourself as a player and a team.
No. 1 and 2 singles players Molly Smith and Jeannie Bowen both won in straight sets, while Audra Minish’s match went to three sets.
“Our singles ladies go on the court and know what their roles are,” Strickland said.
Both doubles teams won convincingly.
“Sarah Powers and Sam LaZear have really gelled as a team,” Strickland said. “They get better with every outing. Alexia Supakorndej and Kaitlyn Hale round out the depth that we have on the girls’ team.”
CORRECTION: It was incorrectly reported last week that the girls’ team was seeking its second-straight region title. Madison County finished as runners-up to Dacula last year.
