The Manchester Academy tennis team defeated Central Hinds 8-1 on Tuesday at Parham Bridges Tennis Center in Jackson and improved their record to 2-0 on the young season.
“I am proud of our young team and pleased to see the kids working through some on-court struggles,” said Mavs coach Debbie Crisler. “A few players got off to a slow start and others had a tough time closing out the match, but they all persevered and won.”
Senior Harper Guthrie once again led the Mavericks with a dominating 6-1, 6-0 victory at #1 boys singles and Upton Hitt won a tight match at #2 boys singles 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.
Margaret Dent and Elizabeth Turner rolled to an easy 6-3, 6-1 win at #1 girls doubles and Nettie Taylor Barbour and Mary Sibley McGraw won their second three-set match at #2 girls doubles 4-6, 6-2, 10-5.
In boys’ doubles, Cole Carpenter and Kinkead Dent won 6-2, 7-5 at #1 while Nathan Carroll and Matt Carroll thrashed their opponents 6-1, 6-0 at #2.
Monica Morrison lost 6-0, 6-2 at #1 girls singles and Josie Coker held on for a 6-3, 8-6 triumph at #2 girls singles.
Reid Bain and Marie Lewis went 2-0 on the season with a 6-4, 6-4 win at mixed doubles.
“We have a long way to go, but we are off to a good start,” commented Crisler. “With nine first-time varsity players, it’s nice to see us winning. Yvette Cook deserves a lot of credit for giving so many of our team tennis lessons for the last several years and now that training is paying off on the court.”
Manchester plays two matches next week. On Tuesday, the Mavs will play in Brandon and at the Yazoo Country Club on Thursday.
