Jay edges Bruins (04/02/08)

The Patriots two new doubles teams came through. And so did a sophomore in her first varsity match.

Those efforts were enough in the season opening match for the Jay County High School girls tennis team Tuesday as it topped the visiting Blackford Bruins.

Tiffani Bickel and Cindy Muhlenkamp won in their first pairing together at No. 1 doubles, knocking off Kristin Watters and Lisa Pierson 6-1, 6-3 on an interesting day of tennis with winds gusting throughout. Bickel played in the No. 1 slot last season, where she was teamed with then-senior Jessica Muhlenkamp, and Cindy Muhlenkamp played No. 2 doubles.

The new No. 2 doubles duo of Megan Huntsman and Briann Saxman also turned in a successful debut. They gave up just a single game and rolled 6-1, 6-0 over BreAnna Nunez and Alisha McGahey.

The lone singles win for the Patriots (1-0) came from Mariah Clark in her first varsity match. The sophomore rolled in the second set in a 6-3, 6-0 win over Emily Smith.

Megan Adams fell 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 at No. 1 singles, and Hannah McAbee took a 0-6, 6-2, 6-2 loss to Kristie Ridgeway at No. 3 singles.

Junior varsity

Jay County earned sweeps at four positions as it posted a 6-0 victory over the Bruins.

Betsy Knittle and Mizuki Saito dominated their No. 2 and 3 singles matches for 8-0 wins over Kristin Hines and Stacie Enyeart respectively. The Patriot No. 1 and 2 doubles teams of Becky Muhlenkamp and Emily Huntsman, and Jenna Wilson and Brittany White, each defeated Katelyn Freel and Jennifer Millikan 8-0.

At No. 1 singles Kayla Martin won 8-2 over Enyeart, and at No. 4 singles Kelly Howell topped Hines 7-5.[[In-content Ad]]