Davis continues to see team growth in loss to Hilltoppers

With a team of newcomers growing in experience, Polk County girls tennis coach Richard Davis often measures success by looking beyond the final score.

Facing a talented R-S Central team Thursday which has only lost this season to defending state champion Hendersonville, Davis knew victory might be a tall order for the Wolverines. And indeed that proved the case as R-S Central claimed a 9-0 win on its home court.

But within each match, Davis continued to see signs of improvement, which is exactly what he wants to see from the Wolverines at this stage.

“We are definitely getting better,” the veteran coach said. “We competed very well against a strong R-S team whose only loss was to Hendersonville.

“We’ll continue to take our lumps as we grow, but better days are ahead for this group of girls.”

Polk County (2-5) is set to return to the courts on Tuesday, hosting Patton in a 4 p.m. match.

SINGLES
1. Emily Huddleston d. Cameron Ward 6-0, 6-2; 2. Alexis Nanney d. Katie Campuzano-Gomez 6-0, 6-1; 3. Jada Knox d. Sarah Vitale 6-3, 6-2; 4. Jesilyn Rippy d. Elizabeth Vitale 6-2, 6-3; 5. Kadence Hopper d. Natalie Ramirez 6-0, 6-0; 6. Madalyn Hughes d. Allie Quoyle 6-2, 6-1.

DOUBLES
1. Huddleston-Hopper d. Ward-E. Vitale 6-0; 2. Nanney-Rippy d. Campuzano-Gomez-S. Vitale 6-0; 3. Knox-Hughes d. Ramirez-Quoyle 6-3.