Greencastle opens tennis season with sweep of South Putnam

Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Greencastle senior Bailey Brewer rips a serve in her match on Tuesday against South Putnam. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

The Greencastle girls' tennis team couldn't have asked for a better day to open the 2013 season. The weather conditions were near perfect, as were the Tiger Cubs, who beat South Putnam 5-0.

GHS lost just five combined games in the five varsity matches, including 6-0, 6-0 scores in all three singles.

"It was fun to see everybody play well," GHS senior Harriet Watson said. "It's fun to win."

Watson, Greencastle's No. 2 singles player on Tuesday, defeated South Putnam senior Cierra Brown.

Senior Haylie Romer beat junior Kelly Hayden in No. 1 singles and senior Kayla Chadd beat sophomore Olivia Arnold in No. 3 singles.

"It was the first match out and a lot of them were really nervous, and it showed," SPHS coach John Briones said. "The biggest thing for me is the mental part of the game. Once we can beat that, I think we'll be OK. Tonight there were a few teams when we'd get down after a bad serve or a double-fault ... I preach and preach that it's all mental. If we can conquer the mental game, I think we'll be OK."

The Eagles inexperience showed through out the match as the team failed to settle into a rhythm with their opponent or the moderate wind.

The Tiger Cubs took advantage, largely because of experience, GHS coach Sally Martin said.

Martin was pleased with her team's performance but thinks the future looks even brighter

"They've got to keep working; they can't stop" she said. "There's youth(ful mistakes), but if that's all I have to complain about after the first match with freshmen then I really don't have a complaint."

Greencastle has seniors at each singles spot and another, Bailey Brewer, who plays No. 1 doubles with junior Melody White.

Brewer and White were in the closest match of the night, beating senior Kassie Rains and junior Megan Guthrie 6-1, 6-2.

"Kassie shows a little emotion and she's got a really good attitude," Briones said. "It really showed in that match when she was trying to build her teammate up. That's one good thing about doubles is that you've got somebody there that can pump you up if you need it. All-in-all, I was pretty happy with them."

At No. 2 doubles, GHS juniors Rosemary Hurst and Courtney Smallwood defeated SPHS juniors Kyndra Boyce and Miriah Cherry, 6-1, 6-1.

While Greencastle started its season on a strong, positive note, Chadd said the team isn't about to rest on its laurels.

"I think everyone is (trying to improve)," Chadd said. "I think it's good. We have a lot of freshmen that are good, so they push us to push ourselves. Everyone on the team is moving up so it's good competition."

The Tiger Cubs will introduce even more competition into the mix next week when Sabrina Arnold returns to the lineup. She missed Tuesday's match while recovering from an injury.

Watson said the team is stronger from the competition, and mentally stronger from her four years of experience.

"It takes time to get the mental part of tennis," Watson said. "This is the first year we (seniors) even barely have it. That's probably the hardest part of the game."

Greencastle (1-0) will continue its season on Thursday at Rockville at 5 p.m.

The Eagles will have a chance to pick themselves back up immediately. They host Turkey Run on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

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