BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
LOUISA — Martin County tennis teams competed in tri-matches April 15 and April 18 at Lawrence County High School. On April 15, the boys secured a narrow victory over Johnson Central 3-2 but lost to Lawrence County 5-0, while the girls lost to Johnson Central 5-0 and Lawrence County 5-0. On April 18, the boys defeated Lawrence County 5-2 and Paintsville 3-2, while the girls beat Lawrence County 3-2 and Paintsville 3-2.
Martin County coach Josh Penix explained that in tri-matches, three teams play each other at one site.
“It takes a little longer and you typically have to split players by who plays who,” he said.
Penix was proud of his team’s performances, commenting on both Lawrence County and Paintsville.
“Lawrence County is the top team in the region by far. Paintville has been rebuilding the past couple of years and now has a solid team,” the coach said.
“I am proud of all my kids this year. We have had to endure no courts, practicing with only two courts while the fence was down on the courts at Warfield. It really took a toll on us early in the season. We are starting to hit our stride, though, and I believe we have a couple of kids who can make a big postseason run.”
April 15
MC vs. JC
The Cardinals secured a 3-2 win over Johnson Central in set play.
In singles action, No. 1 seed Connor Dials won with a score of 8-4, while No. 3 seed Bryson Dials dominated with a score of 8-2. However, No. 2 seed Bryon Marcum fell short in a close set 8-6.
In doubles, the team of BJ Parsley and Cole Damron won by a score of 8-6. Unfortunately, the second-seed duo of Noah McCoy and Liam May lost their set 8-4, and the third-seed team of Chase Hinkle and Corey Endicott also faced defeat 7-4.
On the girls side, the Lady Cardinals lost 5-0 to the Lady Eagles. Caitlyn Horn, Dakota Ward and Reagan Sparks each lost their sets 8-0, while Aaliyah Cline secured the only win for the Lady Cards with a score of 6-0.
In doubles action, both the No. 1 seed team of Hailey Damron and Aaliyah and the No. 2 seed team of Addison Kerr and Chloe May lost 8-0.
MC vs. LC
Martin County ran into a very good Lawrence County team in their second match April 15. Both the girls and boys teams fell to Lawrence County 5-0.
April 18
MC vs. LC
In the opening matchup April 18 the Cardinals defeated Lawrence County 5-2.
In singles set play, the No. 1 seed Byron Marcum pulled out a win 6-4. No. 2 seed Shawn Marcum was defeated in his set by a score of 6-3. No. 3 seed Chase Hinkle played two sets, dropping the first set 6-4 but bouncing back to win the second set convincingly 6-1.
In the boys doubles set play, the No. 1 seed of Connor Dials and Bryson Dials dominated, winning both sets by scores of 6-1 and 6-0. Meanwhile, the No. 2 seed duo, BJ Parsley and Corey Endicott secured their set victory 6-4.
In the girls set play, Martin County defeated Lawrence County 3-2.
In singles play, the No. 1 seed Caitlyn Horn fell short 6-4. However, the No. 2 seed Dakota Ward won her set 6-0. No. 3 seed Chloe Alley battled hard, winning her set 7-6 (10-8).
In girls doubles play, the duo of Chloe May and Addison Kerr were defeated by a score of 6-0. However, Grace Caldwell and Sarah Keener won their set 6-1.
MC vs. PHS
In the second match of the tri-match, the Cardinals faced off against the Paintsville Tigers, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
In boys singles set play, the No. 1 seed Bryson Dials dominated, winning his set 8-1, while the No. 2 seed Corey Endicott fell short, losing his set 8-2. No. 3 seed Levi Howell won his set with a commanding score of 8-0.
In boys doubles set play, the team of Byron Marcum and Shawn Marcum faced tough opposition, losing their set with a score of 8-4. The No. 2 seed duo of BJ Parsley and Chase Hinkle won their set by a score of 8-0.
On the girls side, the Lady Cards pulled out a hard-fought win 3-2 in set play.
The No. 1 seed Caitlyn Horn won her set by a score of 8-1, while the No. 3 seed Grace Caldwell won her set by a score of 8-2. No. 2 seed Sarah Keener faced a tough challenge, losing 8-1.
In girls doubles set play, the team of Addison Kerr and Chloe May won 8-5, while the No. 2 seed duo of Dakota Ward and Chloe Alley fell 8-6.