South Putnam tennis cleans up against White River Valley

South Putnam sophomore Olivia Arnold rips a forehand down the sideline in the second set of the No. 2 doubles match against White River Valley on Saturday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

South Putnam's No. 2 doubles team of Kassi Raynes and Olivia Arnold won a decisive third set to help the Eagles' girls' tennis team beat visiting White River Valley 4-1.

The Eagles only loss came at No. 1 singles. Senior Madison Cash was forced to default when she injured her ankle during the first half.

Her teammates overcame the loss to play some of their best tennis of the season.

"They stepped it up and played really well," SPHS coach John Briones said. "I would have loved to see Madison finish her match out. She definitely had a really competitive opponent, but Madison held her own pretty well for the amount of time she did play."

Junior Kelly Hayden cruised to an easy 6-0, 6-1 win against freshman Rachel Woods at No. 2 singles and senior Cierra Brown beat freshman Brooklyn Stoner 6-1, 6-3 at No. 3 singles.

Juniors Kendra Boyce and Miriyah Cherry won a dominant match at No. 1 doubles, beating Cassie Robbins and Lea Arnold 6-2, 6-1, which left No. 2 doubles as the final match on the court.

Kendra Boyce lines up an overhead. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

Raynes and Arnold won an easy first set, 6-0, but seemed to lose focus in the second. The Wolverines' team of Elizabeth Lamar and Brittany Froeschke rebounded in the second, winning 6-3, and Raynes' frustration started to show.

After the changeover the Eagles' duo got back to the confident, aggressive play that got them the first-set win.

The Eagles jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the third before meeting any adversity.

A questionable line call ended the fifth game of the third set, but the Eagles used it as motivation.

Raynes served, up 4-1, and finished the game with three straight aces. The Eagles closed out with a break the next game to end the match 6-0, 3-6, 6-1.

"With tennis, it's amazing: when you get that momentum going your way and whether you're down or up, you know you can really make some headway," Briones said. "We got down, and I think that's what cost us in the second set, but the fought back.

"I was really proud of them. That's always good to see and I think it's good experience for these kids to go three sets."

Cash trailed 2-4 in the first set at the time of her default.

The Eagles host Northview on Monday at 4:30 p.m.

Kassi Raynes hits a forehand in the second set. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

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