MONTGOMERY – Barr-Reeve pulled out a three-set thriller at No.3 singles to edge Bedford North Lawrence 3-2 in the season-opening girls high school tennis match on Monday afternoon.
The Vikings escaped with the victory when Alexis Buse fought off Becca Epping 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in the final match.
“For some of these girls to pick up a racket two weeks ago, to be that close and go three sets on two courts, I’m actually really pleased,” BNL coach Joni Stigall said. “It‘s tough to lose when we were so close, but I’m excited about what I saw.”
BNL posted triumphs at No.1 doubles and No.2 singles. Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride rallied for a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Dylan Decoursey and Sydney Swartzentuber, while Emily Duncan conquered Averi Lengacher 6-4, 6-2.
“That first set, they were working out some jitters in their first high school match,” Stigall said of her top duo. “They weren’t moving. By the second set, they turned it on and started to dominate at the net. They started playing like they know how to play.
“Emily doesn’t do anything fancy, she just frustrates her opponent when they can’t play their game. She started slow, then started to play. She can hit the spots, she gets back every ball. She played really well.”
Barr-Reeve’s Anna Ballengee topped Rachel Kidd 6-2, 6-2 at No.1 singles, while the No.2 doubles tandem of Gracie Madison and Kinley Schrock edged BNL’s Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldridge 6-4, 6-1.
The Stars (0-1) will host Martinsville on Tuesday.
Barr-Reeve 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Anna Ballengee, BR d. Rachel Kidd 6-2, 6-2
2 Emily Duncan, BNL d. Averi Lengacher 6-4, 6-2
3 Alexis Buse, BR d. Becca Epping 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
Doubles
1 Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride, BNL d. Dylan Decoursey and Sydney Swartzentruber 2-6, 6-1, 6-2
2 Gracie Madison and Kinley Schrock, BR d. Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldridge 6-4, 6-1
