MONTGOMERY – Barr-Reeve swept the singles while conquering Bedford North Lawrence 3-2 during the girls high school tennis season opener on Monday.
The Stars (0-1) were strong in doubles, with two veteran tandems returning, but the Vikings won all three singles matches in straight sets.
Brylee Furhman topped Becca Epping 6-3, 6-2 at No.1, Beth Graber edged Nadia Anderson 7-5, 6-2 at No.2, and Claire Harrison stopped Ashlynn Wever 6-3, 6-0 at No.3.
“Another year of needing a singles win,” BNL coach Joni Stigall said. “Somehow I have to get Becca to just play. She thinks about shots too much. She basically beat herself today.
“Nadia and Ashlyn just need to develop as players. They need to play with confidence and play to win. Italy (Lewis) wasn’t in the lineup due to challenge matches not going her way in practice. I foresee her back in the lineup. We need her and she wants back, but she has to prove that. I need to see someone who wants to win, not just play.”
In doubles, Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride pounced on Dylan Decoursey and Sydney Swartzentruber 6-4, 6-4 at No.1. Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge rolled past Alli Robinson and Brynlee Collins 7-5, 6-2 at No.2.
“I could definitely tell it was our first match, and we haven’t had great weather to get out to practice,” Stigall said. “Our No.1 doubles played pretty decent for a first match of the year. They like to hit hard, but we don’t always need to do that. Volley placement will be key for this doubles team to win big matches. But overall I’m happy with how they played today.
“Our No.2 doubles started slow, actually they started really bad. They finally woke up at the end of that first set and didn’t slow down much after that. They started placing the ball much better and moving their feet. I’m much happier after that second set.”
BNL will host North Daviess on Thursday in the home opener.
BARR-REEVE 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Brylee Fuhrman, BR d. Becca Epping 6-3, 6-2
2 Beth Graber, BR d. Nadia Anderson 7-5, 6-2
3 Claire Harrison, BR d. Ashlynn Wever 6-3, 6-0
Doubles
1 Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride, BNL d. Dylan Decoursey and Sydney Swartzentruber 6-4, 6-4
2 Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge, BNL d. Alli Robinson and Brynlee Collins 7-5, 6-2
