Knights build momentum early, top Polk girls in opener

Early nerves plagued Polk County’s girls tennis team en route to a 7-2 loss on Monday at North Henderson in the Wolverines’ season opener.

Polk County got victories from Juniper Walter-Egan at No. 4 singles and Trinity Branham at No. 6 singles.

“Very pleased with the way we responded to the competition (Monday) being so young and at this point very inexperienced,” said Polk County head coach Richard Davis. “In singles, most of the team fell behind several games early due to nerves. Once they settled down, they played very well but had gotten themselves in too big a hole to recover for a win.

“As I said before this will definitely be a year of gaining skill and experience. If we can win a few that will be great.”

The Wolverines travel to Crest on Wednesday and then to Kings Mountain on Thursday.

SINGLES
1. Sally Gross (NH) d. Rhian Alley, 10-3; 2. Kerrigan Osborne (NH) d. Haven Dufford, 10-5; 3. Gabi Harness (NH) d. Reese Alley, 10-7; 4. Juniper Walter-Eger (PC) d. Cruz, 10-8; 5. Brittany Brewer (NH) d. Bella Marino, 10-6; 6. Trinity Branham (PC) d. Breanna Slagle, 10-7.

DOUBLES
1. Gross-Osborne (NH) d. Alley-Alley, 8-3; 2. Harness-Cruz (NH) d. Dufford-Walter-Eger, 8-6; 3. Brewer-Slagle (NH) d. Marino-Branham, 9-7