GIRLS TENNIS: Streaks put end to Fort’s season

FORT DEFIANCE – Harrisonburg conquered Fort Defiance 5-2 in the quarterfinal round of the Region III girls tennis tournament Monday.

In singles action, Harrisonburg won the first three matches with Jinny Stevens beating Fort’s Amanda Mackenzie 6-2, 6-1, Claire Sudor beating Fort’s Kayla Pleskonko 6-0, 6-0, and Sarah Grace McCormick beating Fort’s Mackenzie Skidmore 6-3, 6-3.

The Indians rallied in their fourth and fifth matches with Laura Remis beating Harrisonburg’s Wendy Miller 6-2, 6-2 and Taylor Martin beating Harrisonburg’s Meredith Rose in three, 6-7, 6-1, 6-3.

“Taylor played a heck of a match all the way through,” said Fort Defiance coach John Edgecomb. “It was a see-saw battle. Harrisonburg got up on the set and Taylor had to come back and win the next two. The first set was the real battle. When you lose the first, you know that you have to be on your game.”

Harrisonburg won the final match though, with Kelsey Hyser beating Jill Cook 6-4, 7-5.

“There were other matches that were see-saw, too,” Edgecomb said. “If one shot went out, the outcome would have been different for us.”

The teams played three doubles matches, but the Blue Streaks’ McCormick and Miller combination beat the Indians’ Remis and Pleskonko 6-4, 6-2, causing the other doubles matches to be suspended.

“Harrisonburg made some shots that we didn’t and that’s why they walked off with a win,” Edgecomb said.

Edgecomb was more than happy with his team, though he was sad to end the season.

“This team far exceeded anyone’s expectations,” Edgecomb said. “I directly attribute that to the three seniors [Pleskonko, Remis, Cook]. They really set the tempo. This team, in their minds, felt they could win, felt that they could battle it out.

“Our goal at the beginning was to be at the thick of things. I’m disappointed to lose today, I didn’t want the season to end. I hate to see the seniors leave,” Edgecomb said. “But I’m upbeat to see the upcoming players.”

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