Patriots smash Southside

Two of the Patriots' five wins last season came against Muncie Southside. So they were happy to see the Rebels Thursday night.

Jay County High School's girls tennis team clobbered Southside again, improving to 2-3 on the season with a 4-1 victory.

"They're not the strongest competition that we have, but it's kind of nice," said JCHS coach Roy Adams. "The girls haven't had an easy match this season so far with the two rain-outs, so it's nice to have one of those.

"I'm pleased. Throughout I just saw a little more confidence today."

The Patriots were dominant in doubles action, especially at the No. 2 spot.

Becky Muhlenkamp rolled out to a 5-0 lead in the opening set and fought off a pair of game points for Southside duo Taylor Lampke and Noelle Gudger in the sixth game. They finished off the shutout first set en route to a 6-0, 6-2 win.

At No. 1 doubles Briann Saxman and Megan Huntsman got off to a slow start, trailing 3-2 in the opening set.

But they won the next four games over Jenifer Lewis and Stephanie Hart and took a 6-3, 6-2 victory.

"They had a couple of hiccups that they had to figure out," said Adams of his doubles teams. "Once they did, then it was pretty much smooth sailing from that point forward."

No. 2 and 3 singles players Hannah McAbee and Mariah Clark faced strong second-set challenges, but were able to avoid going to third sets.

McAbee trailed 5-4 in her second set against Chelsea May, but converted a double break point to even the score. She served to a 6-5 lead, and then broke May's serve again to finish off a 6-1, 7-5 win.

Mariah Clark won a long opening set, and then was tied 4-4 with the Rebels' Jamie Smith in the second. She finished off the next game with an ace, but missed on two match-point chances before Smith tied the score again at five.

Again Clark served to a one-game lead and finally put the match away 6-3, 7-5 by breaking Smith's serve.

"It was a good win for Hannah and Mariah both. Both of them have been struggling a little bit to get there," said Adams. "Today (McAbee) proved that she could get over the hump. Hopefully that's something that's going to build.

"And Mariah too. She needed that win today as well."

Hannah Hollowel earned the only win of the day for Southside, defeating the Patriots' Kayla Martin 6-3, 6-3 at No. 1 singles.

Junior varsity

Jay County cruised to an 8-0 victory with four matches ending in shutouts.

Alyssa Rigby, Joni Degler and Jessica Ooten all scored 4-0, 4-0 wins in singles action. Katie Link and Ashley Caupp also won 4-0, 4-0 at No. 1 doubles.

Brittany White and Dezi Clay won 4-1, 4-1 at No. 1 and 2 singles respectively. Danielle Chenoweth and Lissa Sims picked up a 4-2, 5-3 win at No. 2 doubles, and Megan McGraw won 5-3, 4-1 at No. 1 singles.[[In-content Ad]]