The Madison County High School girls’ tennis team usually has a standing reservation for the Region 8-AAAA finals.
After all, the Lady Raiders (13-1, 10-0) have played for a region title for 12 consecutive years.
So the Madison County girls’ tennis team definitely has expectations — as does the boys’ team — for this week’s region tournament given the strong history of tennis at the school.
“My guys and girls know the importance of continuing the tradition started by so many previous Red Raider tennis players,” coach Keith Strickland said.
The Madison County girls begin region tournament play at 1:30 p.m. today (Thursday) at the MCHS tennis courts as they look to make a run at the finals for a 13th straight year.
The Lady Raiders had their way with their subregion opponents this year, going 10-0, but facing teams from the other subregion presents an element of mystery. Madison County has yet to play any of the teams from 8-AAAA South this year.
Strickland said Heritage dominated that subregion this year in earning the no. 1 seed. Loganville is the no. 2 seed, with its only losses coming to Heritage.
“We knew coming into this season that Heritage was the team to beat,” Strickland said, noting that Heritage experienced very few losses in their lineup from a year ago.
Strickland said his team could see Loganville in the semifinals, though “Habersham could get past them.”
As for the regular season, the Lady Raiders closed out a 10-0 run in subregion play with a 4-1 victory over Habersham Central.
The team got victories at no. 1 and no. 2 singles and both doubles positions.
Three days earlier, Madison County clinched the 8-AAAA North championship with a 5-0 victory over Apalachee Friday.
The Lady Raiders made quick work of the Lady Wildcats, losing just seven games in five matches.
•MCHS 4, Hab. Central (April 12)
Winners:
•No. 1 singles: Jeannie Bowen, W, 6-0, 6-0
•No. 2 singles: Sam LaZear, W, 6-0, 6-2
•No. 1 doubles: Alexia Supakorndej/KayLee Bates, W, 6-1, 6-0
•No. 2 doubles: Abby Morgan/Kaitlyn Hale, W, 6-0, 6-2
•MCHS 5, Apalachee 0 (April 9)
Winners:
•No. 1 singles: Jeannie Bowen, W, 6-0, 6-0
•No. 2 singles: Sam LaZear, W, 6-1, 6-0
•No. 3 singles: Adrienne Fitzpatrick, W, 6-0, 6-1
•No. 1 doubles: Alexia Supakorndej/KayLee Bates, W, 6-0, 6-3
•No. 2 doubles: Kaitlyn Hale/Abby Morgan, W, 6-2, 6-0
