NORTH VERNON – Jennings County swept the singles to edge Bedford North Lawrence 3-2 during girls high school tennis action on Thursday afternoon.
The Stars (2-5) were dominant on the doubles courts, but the necessary third win for the team triumph proved elusive.
“We are still needing that singles breakthrough,” BNL coach Joni Stigall said. “We just got outmatched by better players.”
BNL had the best of the tandem matches. Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride stumbled through the first set, then recovered and roared to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 win over Sydney Carson and Liz Ertel at No.1.
“In that first set, our No.1 doubles was unbelievable – and in the worst way,” Stigall said. “I have never seen them play that bad, to the point I didn’t even know what to say to them. They woke up in the second set. By the third set, they were on fire, one of the best sets I’ve seen them play.”
BNL’s freshman duo of Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge cruised to a 6-1, 6-4 victory (their third straight win) over Hannah Green and Cassidy Mull at No.2.
“Our doubles continue to roll,” Stigall said. “I am excited how much our No.2 doubles keep improving. Each match I see them getting better. They are working together as a team, talking and moving much better on the court.
“Kenley was fantastic at the net. She really ate up most of what came back over the net.”
The Panthers didn’t surrender a set in singles. Reagan Brown bounced Rachel Kidd 6-2, 6-1 at No.1, Tatum Brown topped Emily Duncan 6-3, 6-2 at No.2, and Carmen Kopitzke conquered Becca Epping 6-4, 6-0 at No.3.
“This was a good team on all courts,” Stigall said. “We just keep coming up a little short.”
BNL will visit Bloomfield on Monday.
Jennings County 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Reagan Brown, JC d. Rachel Kidd 6-2, 6-1
2 Tatum Brown, JC d. Emily Duncan 6-3, 6-2
3. Carmen Kopitzke, JC d. Becca Epping 6-4, 6-0
Doubles
1 Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride, BNL d. Sydney Carson and Liz Ertel 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
2 Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge, BNL d. Hannah Green and Cassidy Mull 6-1, 6-4
