Spring Creek’s Kennedy Denton hustles to return a backhand shot against North Johnston’s Alayna Daniels during their No. 5 singles match Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Emma Gainey gets her racquet on a forehand return against North Johnston’s Maryalis Rodriguez during their contest at No. 4 singles Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Linna Kornegay returns a shot against North Johnston’s Camden Ford at No. 3 singles on Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Emily Williams chases down a ball in the corner against North Johnston’s Emily Scott during their singles match Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Janice Lopez returns a low forehand shot to North Johnston’s Sydney Daughtry during their No. 2 singles match Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Katelynn Harrison keeps her eye on the ball during late-set play against North Johnston’s Brayden Taylor at No. 6 singles Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — A quality opponent gave Spring Creek head girls’ tennis coach Robert Jones an opportunity to learn more about his team Wednesday afternoon.
Though the outcome against defending Neuse Six 2A champ North Johnston didn’t end in the Gators’ favor, he liked what he saw — grit and a competitive spirit.
“We played well … showed great determination in the heat,” Jones said. “Hopefully, this match will boost our confidence as we play the rest of our conference schedule.”
The Panthers returned to Kenly with a doubleheader sweep — 5-2 and 5-4.
Spring Creek’s players consistently kept balls in play on all six singles courts and forced deuce points throughout numerous games.
Seniors Emma Gainey and Katelynn Harrison each concluded the day 2-0. Seeded fourth, Gainey defeated Maryalis Jimenez Rodriguez 8-0 and 8-4. The sixth-seeded Harrison edged Brayden Taylor 8-6 in the opening match and cruised 8-0 in their second battle.
Fifth-seeded Kennedy Denton posted a 1-1 worksheet against NJ junior Alayna Phillips, who won the first encounter 8-6. Denton flipped the script and prevailed by the same score in the second match.
Denton and fellow sophomore Emilia West captured Spring Creek’s lone doubles point in the second match.
The Gators (1-2 overall, 0-2 Neuse Six) return home Sept. 11 to face Princeton. The Panthers (3-3) collected their third win in their last four outings after an 0-2 start to the season.
Match 1
North Johnston 5, Spring Creek 2
Singles: No. 1 — Emily Scott (NJ) d. Emily Williams (SC), 8-0; No. 2 — Sydney Daughtry (NJ) d. Janice Lopez (SC), 8-2; No. 3 — Camden Ford (NJ) d. Linna Kornegay (SC), 8-0; No. 4 — Emma Gainey (SC) d. Maryalis Jimenez Rodriguez (NJ), 8-0; No. 5 — Alayna Phillips (NJ) d. Kennedy Denton (SC), 8-6; No. 6 — Katelynn Harrison (SC) d. Brayden Taylor (NJ), 8-6.
Doubles: No. 1 — Daughtry-Ford (NJ) by default.
Match 2
North Johnston 5, Spring Creek 4
Singles: No. 1 — Emily Scott (NJ) d. Emily Williams (SC), 8-0; No. 2 — Sydney Daughtry (NJ) d. Janice Lopez (SC), 8-0; No. 3 — Camden Ford (NJ) d. Linna Kornegay (SC), 1-0 (retired); No. 4 — Emma Gainey (SC) d. Maryalis Jimenez Rodriguez (NJ), 8-4; No. 5 — Kennedy Denton (SC) d. Alayna Phillips (NJ), 8-6; No. 6 — Katelynn Harrison (SC) d. Brayden Taylor (NJ), 8-0.
Doubles: No. 1 — Daughtry-Ford (NJ) d. Williams-Lopez, 8-3; No. 2 — Scott-Rodriguez (NJ) d. Gainey-Harrison (SC), 8-2; No. 3 — Denton-Emilia West (SC) d. Phillips-Isabella Skeritte (NJ), 8-3.
