Netters down Rockdale

Madison County then returns to region play, facing Winder-Barrow March 14 in Winder. The next home match is March 17 as the Red Raiders take on Hart County.

Against Rockdale, injuries and illness affected the outcome of both the Red Raiders and Lady Red Raiders’ matches.

For the boys, Trey Morris returned as number one singles, winning his first set 6-3 before his opponent retired due to illness. Rockdale pulled ahead with a number two and number singles win as Madison County's number two Ben Strickland, played a tough match, but lost in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 0-6. Blaise Boleman at three singles, fell 1-6, 2-6.

In doubles action the Madison County boys continued to gell on the court, according to coach Keith Strickland. At number one doubles, Jeffrey Branson and Connor Hancock handily took the win, 6-0, 6-4. Another easy victory came in number two doubles as Josh Dooley and Jared Osborne won 6-1, 6-3.

“Both of our doubles teams played very well – coming on the court and setting the pace by applying pressure early on to win their first sets easily,” Strickland said. “Our doubles teams look to be gelling as we head into our sub-region play. The experience and depth of the returning players (Jeffrey Branson, Connor Hancock, and Josh Dooley) are key to how successful our team can be this season.”

Strickland added: “We know that we still have a lot to work on as our region, as a whole, looks to be stronger this year.”

The Lady Red Raiders also added the win over Rockdale, 3-2.

“We had strong play from our doubles teams and at number three singles,” said Strickland. “The doubles teams grabbed the advantage right away and never looked back – losing only 4 games in 4 sets. Again, experience and depth helped us to win this match.”

Madison County’s number one singles, Jeannie Bowen, was blanked 0-6, 0-6, while number two singles, Sam LaZear played through an injury and lost a close match, 7-5, 4-6, 2-6. Playing the pivotal role at three singles, Jenny Ortman won, 6-3, 6-3.

In doubles play, number one team Adrienne Fitzpatrick and Kaitlyn Hale won 6-2, 6-1; while number two team Abby Morgan and KayLee Bates added the win 6-0, 6-1.

In Madison County JV action against Rockdale, the boys won 3-0. Rockdale couldn’t field a girls JV team. In singles, Zach Peneguy won 8-1; and Tyler Terrell won 8-1. At doubles Koti Nguyen and Josh Dooley were victorious 8-4.

Following the win over Rockdale, the teams turned their attention to Flowery Branch.

“We knew heading into this match that Flowery Branch (who is new to our region) was going to be one of our biggest matches in our sub-region,” said Strickland. “From their previous matches this season against sub-region opponents, we knew that they were very deep in both the boys and girls line-ups.”
Improving to 4-0 on the season (3-0 in region; 2-0 in sub-region) the varsity boys added the win over Flowery Branch 4-1.

Morris handily went 6-0, 6-2; followed by B. Strickland 6-3, 6-3. Boleman dropped the number three singles match, 0-6, 0-6. Branson and Hancock at number one doubles fought for their win, 7-6, 7-5, while number two team Dooley and Osborne battled for the final win, 6-0, 7-6.

The varsity Lady Red Raiders lost 1-4 to Flowery Branch leaving the team 3-1 on the season (2-1 n region; 1-1 in sub-region).

“The girls played well against some very strong competition. Even though we lost the match 4-1, we could have just as easily won it 3-2 or even 4-1,” Strickland said.

In singles, number three player, Ortman added the sole win for Madison County, 6-2, 6-4. Number one singles, Bowen fell, 2-6, 1-6 and number two singles LaZear fell 3-6, 4-6.

In doubles play both teams battled to third sets, Fitzpatrick and Hale went 6-4, 6-7, 2-6; while Morgan and Bates went 3-6, 6-4, 6-7.

In JV play against Flowery Branch, the JV boys won 2-1 with Peneguy, 8-2; Terrell, 8-6; and doubles Nguyen and Dooley 4-6. The JV girls fell 1-3 to the Falcons with Savannah Mainland, 3-8; Karli Booth, 8-3; doubles Audra Minish and Abby Thrasher, 3-8; Olivia Minish and Morgan Dooley, 8-9.

The JV boys are 3-0 on the season and the JV girls are 1-1.