Gators open defense of Carolina 1-A Conference girls' tennis title

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 5, 2012 1:48 PM

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Spring Creek seized control early on each singles court and began defense of its Carolina 1-A Conference dual-team tennis championship in dominating fashion Tuesday afternoon.

The Gators handed county rival Rosewood a 9-0 loss. It was the season-opening match for both teams.

"For a first match, we're just going to chalk it up to experience and lots of jitters," RHS head coach Debbie Bailey said. "Spring Creek had a really good team today. I don't think my girls are up to par yet, but we're going to work on it. We're going to practice, practice, practice.

"We hope to improve the rest of the season."

The teams combined to put just three returning starters on the court -- Emily Daniel for Spring Creek, and Rebecca Sass and Abigail Godwin for Rosewood. Daniel dealt Sass a 6-0, 6-0 loss. Godwin strung together three consecutive games in the opening set before falling 6-3, 6-1 to the Gators' Anna Haggerty.

Daysi Ramirez surrendered two of the first three points in a first-set tiebreaker against Rosewood's Holly Williford, but bounced back for a 7-6 (7), 6-3 win.

"Daysi got a little anxious about playing the No. 3 seed," Spring Creek head coach Beverly Boltinhouse said. "She's really excited about moving up (the lineup) and told herself that she could do this, she just needed to calm herself down."

First-year starters Tara Davis, Jenna Kearney and K. Megan Jones completed Spring Creek's sweep in singles play. Davis and Kearney each posted a 6-0, 6-0 over their respective opponent.

Daniel-Haggerty, Ramirez-Davis and Madelyn Coates-Carly Stevens each claimed a doubles point for the Gators.

Boltinhouse praised her team's ability to play consistently and keep its composure on the court. Cautiously optimistic, she expects the young and talented Gators to mature as the season progresses.

"We're looking for a good year," Boltinhouse said.