Hartsville tennis downs Conway

The Lady Foxes’ tennis team held its first home match of the season and defeated region foe Conway 4-2 to even the team’s record at 1-1 on the season.

Melli Baldwin represented the team in number one singles action, but fell to Conway’s Tara Marino 6-4, 7-6. Lucia Cannarella played the number two singles match and defeated Brittany Holmes easily 6-2, 6-1.

In the number three singles match, Hartsville’s Meredith Johnson edged Conway’s Emily Johnson 6-3, 7-6, and Red Fox Maggie Love bested Gloria Wilson in number four singles action 6-2, 6-3. Sara Howle rounded out the singles action defeating Conway’s Juliana Johnson 6-1, 6-1 in the number five singles match.

In doubles action, Hartsville’s Meredith Wallace and Carly Phillips teamed up for a victory over Conway’s Ellen Mishoe and Elizabeth Nesbit 6-3, 7-6.

The Lady Foxes’ head coach Brian Howell is pleased with the prospects for the season. “Our season, so far, is looking promising,“ he said. “Our singles and doubles formats are working well, and each player is becoming comfortable on the court.“

Howell said the team has a few players who have never played singles matches before, so they gain experience and their level of comfort increases after every match. “We are getting better with each match that we play because the girls are getting real match experience,“ he added. “We still need to work on our focus and stepping up and taking every opportunity in a match when it arises.“

Howell also said the team’s conditioning and work ethic are showing and should provide a boost to the season.

The Lady Foxes played host to West Florence Thursday evening and will travel to face South Florence on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m.