Spring Creek junior Kennedy Denton returns a backhand shot to North Johnston’s Camden Ford during their No. 1 singles match Tuesday afternoon in Seven Springs. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — Despite playing its season-opening match with limited practice, Spring Creek turned in some positive moments on the tennis court Tuesday afternoon.
Kylie Compropst claimed the Gators’ lone singles victory during a doubleheader loss against three-time defending Neuse Six 2A champion North Johnston, which prevailed 8-1 and 6-0.
A junior, Compropst defeated Alayna Phillips 8-4 at No. 4 singles. Phillips won the rematch, 8-3, in the nightcap.
“Kylie played two years ago … has experience, so that was her first rodeo as far as playing yesterday,” said SC head coach Robert Jones. “I’m proud of what they did consider the practice time we’ve had.”
The Gators return just two starters from a year ago – juniors Kennedy Denton and Emilia West. Denton took over the No. 1 slot after playing either Nos. 4, 5 or 6 singles in the lineup last season.
West moved up to No. 2.
“We’re junior heavy,” Jones admitted.
Spring Creek’s lineup card had three new starters – senior Heather Alexander, junior Emma Scott Hardy and Eva Kate Davis. Each has room to improve.
“Alexander, I think she’ll catch on,” Jones said. “She’s athletic … will be all right by the end of the season when she figures things out on the court. She gets the concept of how to serve the ball.
“We’ll see how it goes this year. Girls’ tennis moves fast once you get going.”
North Johnston extended its conference-match win streak to 49. The Panthers won back-to-back Eastern Plains 2A regular-season crowns before the new realignment created the Neuse Six.
Spring Creek (0-2 overall, 0-2 Neuse Six) steps outside conference play Thursday at annual East Central 2A powerhouse East Duplin. Match play begins at 4 p.m.
Match 1
North Johnston 8, Spring Creek 1
Singles: No. 1 — Camden Ford (NJ) d. Kennedy Denton (SC), 8-2; No. 2 — Sydney Daughtry (NJ) d. Emilia West (SC), 8-0; No. 3 — Peyton Ford (NJ) d. Emma Scott Hardy (SC), 8-2; No. 4 — Kylie Compropst (SC) d. Alayna Phillips (NJ), 8-4; No. 5 — Riley Evans (NJ) d. Heather Alexander (SC), 8-2; No. 6 — Isabella Skeritte (NJ) d. Eva Kate Davis (SC), 8-1.
Doubles: No. 1 — C. Ford-Daughtry (NJ) d. Denton-West (SC), 6-1; No. 2 — P. Ford-Evans (NJ) d. West-Alexander (SC), 6-0; No. 3 — Brayden Taylor-Peyton Hill Tanner (NJ) d. Conpropst-Davis (SC), 6-0.
Match 2
North Johnston 6, Spring Creek 0
Singles: No. 1 — C. Ford (NJ) d. Denton (SC), 8-2; No. 2 — Daughtry (NJ) d. West (SC), 8-1; No. 3 — P. Ford (NJ) d. Hardy (SC), 8-6; No. 4 — Phillips (NJ) d. Compropst (SC), 8-3; No. 5 — Evans (NJ) d. Alexander (SC), 8-1; No. 6 — Skeritte (NJ) d. Davis (SC), 6-0.
Note: Doubles not contested.
You may reach Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text at 919-709-9257
