Arts & Sciences took victories at the top of the tennis lineup, but Collegedale Academy clinched the match win at the bottom of it.
The Lady Eagles edged reigning district champs Arts & Sciences 5-4 Wednesday afternoon at Warner Park. Collegedale improves to 6-2 overall and 6-0 in District 5-A/AA, while the Lady Patriots are 2-1 overall and in league play.
CSAS won the top three singles matches. At No. 1, Kayla Kelly defeated Lexi Holman 8-0 and Albany Kelly beat Kristin Chung 8-2 at No. 2. The Lady Patriots’ Ahmee Kelly won her No. 3 match over LeeAnn Pennington, 8-2. Kayla and Albany Kelly also combined for a win at No. 1 doubles over Chung and Cassie Hunt, 8-0.
However, the Lady Eagles’ Jennison Nafie, Zoe Mitchell and Caity Campbell won their singles matches at Nos. 4-6 respectively. Nafie and Jennica Melendez clinched the match win for Collegedale in a close No. 2 doubles win over Ahmee Kelly and Mourier, 9-7.
The Lady Eagles entered the match without regular No. 3 player Emily Hammond, who was out sick, but coach Matt Nafie said his players did well with the adjustment in singles and doubles.
“We felt we were able to do pretty good, and that second doubles team did really well for us at a critical point,” Coach Nafie said. “CSAS’s top three are so good, and that No. 1 doubles team is very tough. Going into districts, they’re still the team to beat.”
While the Kelly sisters have returned for the Lady Patriots, Pate is looking to fill the gaps in the lineup left by his daughter Miriam and Angelique Smith, who graduated in 2007.
“We were a little off today, but you can expect that at this time of the season,” Coach Pate said. “We’re struggling a little at the bottom of the lineup, but I expect it’ll get better as the season goes on.”
