HCHS tennis opens season at Bourbon Co.

As of Tuesday, the Harrison County High School tennis teams had only been able to hit the courts to practice six times due to inclement weather. Although thats not much time to prepare for the grueling schedule that faces her teams, tennis coach Jennifer Hatfield says that there are several reasons to look forward to the 2008 season.

I am very proud of this years team, said Hatfield. Weve been struggling to get practice time in, but I think well perform very well. I am looking forward to seeing how far we might go.

Returning to this years boys team will be the regions top-seeded boys doubles team of Hank Whalen and Seth Barnes. Also returning to singles action is Ross Smith, who was very competitive in regional competition last year.

For the girls, Allison McVey and Aubrey Boyers are expected to provide some much-needed leadership.

Allison and Aubrey are the headstrong kind of leaders that a team needs, said Hatfield. They always give it their all whether it is in practice or in a match.

Among several new faces on this years team will be freshman Polly Whalen. Hatfield says that although Whalen is a newcomer to the team, she has made a strong showing and is already a four seed on the team.

I think we have a good mixture of veterans and new players that can make us very successful this season, said Hatfield.

On Monday, the teams took to the road to compete in the first match of the season against a very good Bourbon County team. The girls team came away with a 5-4 win while the boys team fell 1-8.

In girls single action, McVey, Miranda Turk and Whalen picked up wins. McVey defeated Sarah Redman 6-3, Turk defeated Jerah Walker 6-3 and Whalen defeated Katie Blevins 6-3.

In girls doubles play, Harrison County had three teams pick up wins. Emily Vance and Polly Whalen defeated Courtney Tyra and Caroline Snell 6-4, Miranda Turk and Jacqueline Young defeated Kelseigh Stevens and Lindsey Gray 6-2, and Katie ONeal and Maggie Dycus defeated Denise Garza and Samantha Allen 6-3.

The boys had a more difficult time in the match, picking up only one win in singles play. Hank Whalen defeated Jett Glass 6-4.

In doubles action, the boys were able to register two wins. Austin Roberts and Ben McDonald defeated Ian Warting and Lee Sharp 8-2 and Cory McCauley and Charlie Smith defeated their competitors 6-4.

The teams were scheduled to face Maysville St. Patrick on Wednesday. The first home match will be tonight as the teams host Scott County on the Hilltop.