Tennis teams fall to Anderson

The Carroll County High School girls and boys tennis teams battled Anderson County Monday in their first matches of the season. Head coach Juan Fernandez said, overall, he felt his teams played well, but were outmatched by two stronger Anderson clubs. The girls lost 1-4 while the boys lost 0-5.

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Senior Sergio Pascual played in his first tennis match as a Panther Monday against Anderson as the doubles partner with sophomore Joe Gemmer. Pascual previously attended Christian Academy.

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Kristin Sherrard/The News-Democrat

Junior Lyndie Burns played No. 1 singles Monday in Carroll County’s match against Anderson County, held at the county park.

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Kristin Sherrard/The News-Democrat

Junior Megan Harris and fellow junior Pooja Patel, not pictured, competed together in No. 1 doubles against Anderson County Monday.

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In the girls match, Fernandez said it was a little closer game than the score reflects. He said Anderson’s team is experienced and mature, while Carroll has one of the youngest rosters in the region.

In No. 1 singles, Anderson’s Leza Kolesnikoza won 7-5, 6-4 over Carroll’s Lyndie Burns. Fernandez said Burns did a good job of keeping the ball in play and making her opponent work for her shots.

In No. 2 singles, Lady Panther Sarah McArter notched the only win of the day for Carroll County, coming from behind to defeat Anderson’s Hannah Lewis 2-6, 6-4, 10-2. Fernandez said McArter started slow, but settled down in the end to get the win.

In No. 3 singles, Anderson’s Megan Adkins won 6-0, 6-1 over Carroll’s Andrea Williams. Williams is making the adjustment from doubles to singles and played very well, but was outmatched, Fernandez said.

In No. 1 doubles, Anderson’s Hannah Wamder and Amanda Wamder defeated Carroll’s Megan Harris and Pooja Patel 6-0, 6-3. Fernandez said the pair started out very tight and were giving away free points, but finally got loose in the second set. In No. 2 doubles, Anderson’s Scarlett Sullivan and Allison Goodlett defeated Carroll’s Jessie Dermon and Taylor Courtney 6-0, 6-2. Fernandez said the two seventh graders played very well in their first ever match. “They were very nervous before the game, but once they got their nerves out of the way, they started playing with more confidence and doing what they do best, attack the net,” he said.

The Panthers started off on the wrong foot, as the regular lineup had to be switched around due to some eligibility issues. Despite having to playing out of position, Fernandez said his team kept their heads in the match.

In No. 1 singles, Anderson’s Ben McDonald won 6-3, 6-1 over Carroll’s Dakota Corbin. In No. 2 singles, Anderson’s T.J. Pham won 6-0, 6-1 over Carroll’s Zeke Kates. In No. 3 singles, Anderson’s Ty Glover won 6-0, 6-0 over Carroll’s Noah Abercrombie.

In No. 1 doubles, Anderson’s Luke Warford and Lowell Gordon defeated Carroll’s Joe Gemmer and Sergio Pascual 6-0, 6-1. In No. 2 doubles, Anderson’s Joe Koontz and Ben Spear defeated Carroll’s Thomas Hill and Nick Aulbach 6-0, 6-3.

“Anderson County is a much stronger team than we are,” Fernandez said. “Most of their boys play year-round with USTA experience, and that makes a big difference (versus playing) three months out of the year.”

One area he would like his team to correct is their serving. Fernandez said his team committed too many double faults, which “just translates (to) free points, and you just cannot do that (in) any match. … The name is making them hit the ball one more time.”