BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County High School tennis is off to a great start under Head Coach Josh Penix. The Cards secured victories over Oneida Baptist and Magoffin County, with the boys picking up a win over Pikeville.
“Overall, I am pleased with my team so far this year. I have one of the largest teams in school history with 16 boys and 12 girls,” Coach Penix said.
“We have a nice mix of upper and lower classmen that allows us to compete now and develop for the future. I return two state qualifiers in senior Connor Dials and freshman Bryson Dials. We have strong aspirations in not only trying to get them back to state but also sending a few others and competing for a team regional championship,” he continued.
“I believe our boys are in the top two teams in the region and hopefully can win a region championship. My girls are on the younger side as my top three from last year graduated. It is my goal to develop and try to get some wins this year. Chloe May will have to step up as she is thrown into the one seed spot this year. Newcomer Laura Hale is a natural and has a chance to compete. I have a difficult schedule but hope that this will test us and help us be ready come postseason. I know we will take some losses but what we will gain from this competition is needed to be able to compete in our region,” Coach Penix concluded.
The team is led by senior captains: Connor Dials, Caleb Horn, Byron Marcum, Grace Caldwell, Dakota Ward and Chloe Alley.
Other key seniors are BJ Parsley, Drew Wilson, Vittoria Dellamotta, Ida Heinsen, and Laura Hale.
The following is a recap of tennis action:
MC at Pikeville – The Cards traveled to Pikeville on March 17 where the boys team rallied for a 3-2 victory, while the girls fell 5-0. For the boys, Connor Dials won his singles match 6-4 against Josh Perry. Bryson Dials battled to a 7-6 (8-6) win over Ashton Tackett, and Byron Marcum secured a victory with a 6-3 result against Nathan Newsome. Anthony Mann lost his singles match 4-0 to Jesse Baird.
In doubles, Corey Endicott and Caleb Horn lost 6-0 to Baird and Ghayur, Brayden Marcum and Aiden Copeland fell 7-5 to Merlo and Blackburn, and Cole Damron and Drew Wilson lost 4-0 to Coleman and Newsome. Liam Fields and Rex Ward also lost 4-0 to Coleman and Newsome, and Chase Hinkle and Caden Mann were defeated 4-0 by Baird and Perry.
In the girls matches, Chloe May lost 6-2 to Bella Olegario, Dakota Ward fell 6-0 to Sadie Varney, Laura Hale lost two matches 6-1 and 6-4, and Addison Kerr secured the lone win for the girls with a 6-1 victory.
In doubles, Chloe Alley and Addison Kerr lost 6-0 to Merlo and Thacker, Kadence Blackburn and Bella Marcum fell 6-0 to Dolihite and Whitfield, and Vittoria Dellamotta and Ida Heinsen also lost 6-0.
MC at Lawrence Co – On March 18, Martin County traveled to Louisa where the boys lost 4-1 and the girls were defeated 5-0.
In boys singles Corey Endicott lost 8-0 to Chase Kendrick, and Cole Damron fell 8-0 to Alex Desario. Byron Marcum recorded an 8-0 victory over Chris Bessellmann, and Anthony Mann lost 6-0 to Landon Frazier. Chase Hinkle won his match 6-4, and Aiden Copeland was victorious 6-1. Caden Mann lost his match 8-1. The singles match between Bryson Dials and Desario was unfinished at 4-4.
In doubles, Connor Dials and Bryson Dials lost 8-5 to Sweeney and Mynier, Caleb Horn and BJ Parsley fell 8-3 to Brady and Wells, Aiden Copeland and Brayden Marcum lost 6-1, Drew Wilson and Cole Damron were defeated 6-3, Corey Endicott and Chase Hinkle lost 6-0, and Caleb Horn and Byron Marcum fell 4-0. Brayden Marcum and BJ Parsley secured a 6-0 doubles win.
In the girls’ matches, Chloe May lost 8-5 to Molly McClanahan, Addison Kerr fell 8-1, and Laura Hale lost 8-5. Dakota Ward won her match 6-4, as did Vittoria Dellamotta 6-4 and Ida Heinsen 4-0.
In doubles, Grace Caldwell and Chloe Alley lost 8-0, Dellamotta and Heinsen lost 8-1, Kadence Blackburn and Bella Marcum fell 6-4 while May and Kerr earned a 6-0 victory.
MC vs Magoffin – Both Martin County teams were victorious against the Hornets on March 19. The boys team swept their matches 5-0 and the girls team won 3-2.
For the boys singles, Connor Dials and Rex Ward each recorded 6-0 singles victories.
In the girls’ matches, Chloe May won 8-6, Laura Hale won 6-1, Ida Heinsen won 6-3, and Faith Caldwell won 6-1. Addison Kerr lost her singles match 6-4, and Vittoria Dellamotta fell 6-1.
In doubles, Dakota Ward and Chloe Alley lost 6-4, but Grace Caldwell and Faith Caldwell secured a 6-0 win.
MC vs Onieda – On March 22 against Oneida Baptist Institute, both Martin County teams again secured victories. The boys won 4-1, and the girls won 3-2.
For the boys singles, Connor Dials won 6-4, Bryson Dials won 6-2, Rex Ward battled for a 7-6 (12-10) victory, and Corey Endicott won 6-4. Shawn Marcum lost his match 6-4, and Anthony Mann fell 6-0.
In doubles, Caleb Horn and Byron Marcum won 6-0, but Aiden Copeland and Brayden Marcum lost 6-4, BJ Parsley and Corey Endicott fell 6-2, and Chase Hinkle and Caden Mann lost 6-0.
In the girls’ matches, Chloe May won 6-3, Laura Hale won 6-4, and Faith Caldwell won 6-0. Addison Kerr lost her match 6-3.
In doubles, Faith Caldwell and Grace Caldwell lost 6-2, but Dakota Ward and Chloe Alley secured a 6-4 victory.