The Madison County tennis teams had some unintended time off this week, after Monday’s match with Rockdale was postponed due to rain.
The Red Raider’s netter teams started the season with a win over Morgan County Feb. 15. Since the opening winning, the team hasn’t been back on the courts for competition due to various circumstances. The Feb. 17 match with Franklin County was canceled, but will likely be rescheduled as will Monday’s match with Rockdale.
Tuesday, the teams hosted Clarke Central in a region showdown.
The first region match for Madison County was a clean sweep as the Lady Red Raiders and Red Raiders went 5-0 over Clarke Central.
“On both teams, every player did a good job of staying focused as we entered our first sub-region match of the season. As we play each sub-region opponent twice, our players know the importance of taking the first match against each sub-region opponent,” head coach Keith Strickland said.
The boys were led by fill in Ben Strickland at number one singles with a 6-0,6-2 victory. Number two singles Zach Peneguy played an exciting match, dropping the first set 5-7, he battled into an extended tie-break (12 points to 10) to win the second set 7-6, and then put it away 6-1 in the third set after jumping out to an impressive 5-0 game lead. At number three singles, Blaise Bolemon handily won his match, 6-0, 6-2.
In doubles action, number one team of Connor Hancock and Jeffery Branson took the victory, 6-1, 6-1 while at number two, Josh Dooley and Jared Osborne swept the victory, 6-0, 6-0.
“I was pleased with the results as we had to alter our line-up somewhat as our regular #1S player was unable to play. Two freshmen stepped in at #1 & #2 singles to lead the team to a 5-0 win,” Strickland said. “Both doubles teams looked good in the sub-region opener losing only 2 games in four sets. Our doubles teams know their roles and that they are key positions in every match we play.”
The Lady Red Raiders were equally as impressive in their 5-0 defeat of Clarke Central.
“On the girls side, every position took the court and did just as we asked them. They started quickly, gaining the momentum, and closed the matches out quickly - losing only eight games in 10 sets. I was very pleased with the girls play,” Strickland said.
Leading the way into the sub-region victory, number one singles Jeannie Bowen started things off with a win, 6-2, 6-0. Sam LaZear was a force on the court as she easily took the number two singles win, 6-0, 6-1. At number three singles, Jenny Ortman added the third win, going 6-1, 6-2.
Doubles play saw number one team of Adrienne Fitzpatrick and Kaitlyn Hale add the win 6-1,6-1. At number two doubles, Abby Morgan and KayLee Bates swept the competition 6-0, 6-0.
“Overall, both teams played well in the sub-region opener. We did some things well and found that there are still things we need to work on. We look forward to the opportunity to better ourselves and have a good season.”
Coming up for the Madison County netters, the teams are back on the road playing at Flowery Branch today (Thursday) at 4 p.m. The start of region competition continues as the Red Raiders head to Habersham Central March 8 then face Clarke Central again, next Wednesday.
In the season opener at Morgan County, Madison County’s teams added a win each as the boys earned a 3-2 victory and the Lady Red Raiders won in an impressive 4-1 competition.
“Overall I was pleased with the results of our first match,” said Strickland. “With all of the inclement weather, we haven't had as much on-court practice time as we would have liked.”
“As a whole, we seem to have good depth through the line-ups again this season. We only lost three seniors last season and have experienced players returning to lead the team.”
Returning starters for the boys include Trey Morris, Jeffrey Branson, Blaise Bolemon, Connor Hancock and Josh Dooley, while returning Lady Red Raiders include Jeannie Bowen, Sam LaZear, Kaitlyn Hale, Adrienne Fitzpatrick, KayLee Bates, Abby Morgan and Audra Minish.
“With 13 girls on the roster this year, we also have several JV players that may be able to help us at the varsity level as well,” Strickland added.
“Jenny Ortman and Savannah Mainland have improved and played well in our wins over Morgan County,” he said. “We also have several new players that will play pivotal roles in the teams' successes. On the boys side we have freshman, Ben Strickland and junior, Jared Osborne filling varsity positions. Zach Peneguy and Tyler Terrell could play important roles if we have to sub in at varsity.”
The Lady Red Raiders opened the 4-1 victory with with Jeannie Bowen as number one singles winning 6-4, 6-0. Sam LaZear as number two singles won 6-0, 6-1, while number three singles Jenny Ortman battled for her win 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. In doubles action, Adrienne Fitzpatrick and Kaitlyn Hale faced a tough Morgan County number one doubles pair. Fitzpatrick and Hale won the first set 7-5, but were defeated in the match, dropping the next two sets 5-7, 4-6. KayLee Bates and doubles partner Abby Morgan won the number two doubles match, 4-6, 6-2, 8-6.
For the Madison County boys’ team, Trey Morris led off at number one singles with a sweeping 6-0, 6-0 win. Ben Strickland also was victorious at number two singles, 4-6, 6-0, 6-4. Blaise Bolemon was defeated at number three singles, 2-6, 0-6.
In doubles action, Jeffery Branson and Zach Peneguy won the number one match, 7-5, 7-5, while number two team Josh Dooley and Jared Osborne were defeated 0-6, 1-6.
“In our match with Morgan County, we had several close 3 set matches, winning 3 of 4. I was pleased that the players dug in and won those matches,” Strickland said. “As a team, our priority goals for the season are to win the north sub-region and earn a number one seed for the region tournament, win the region tournament, and go as deep in the state playoffs as possible.”
With the overall goals clear for the season, the Red Raiders are looking to make a return to the region finals for a fifth region title and then move beyond the State Sweet 16.
The girls have a good opportunity to build on a winning foundation of 13 trips to the region finals. Looking to continue that winning tradition for a 14th consecutive year, the Lady Red Raiders are also looking to earn the team’s sixth region title and push deep in to the state playoffs.
“Of course to do this we know that we have to take it one match at a time and continue to improve, become smarter players, and cut down on unforced errors,” said Strickland.
With big goals to meet in store for the varsity teams, the junior varsity tennis teams are also showing promise as both teams defeated Morgan County.
The JV girls swept Morgan County, 4-0 in pro-eight competition, led by number one singles Savannah Mainland 8-6, while Audra Minish secured the number two singles win, 8-0. In the number one doubles match, Karli Booth and Abby Thrasher won 8-3, while playing as number two doubles, Olivia Minish and Morgan Dooley won 8-0.
The JV boys also picked up the first match win of 2011, going 2-1 in pro-eight play. Tyler Terrell led the boys earning the number one singles win, 9-7. Zach Penenguy swept the number two singles win, 8-0. Doubles team Koti Nguyen and Jared Osborne were defeated 0-8.
