The Washington tennis team’s search for its first win of the season will have to wait another day as the Pam Pack fell 6-3 to Riverside on Tuesday in the team’s home opener.
This year’s Pam Pack team has taken on a youthful look as the Washington roster has several underclassmen and coach Phedora Johnson is thrilled at the prospect of molding her young tennis players.
“It’s very exciting. The freshmen are so passionate and mature on the court. It’s something that I’m really excited about,” Johnson said. “That (attitude) is something that will work for them during the season.”
On Tuesday No. 1 seed Kiara Smith and No. 6 seed Isabelle Mayo earned wins in singles play, while Mayo partnered up with Olivia Grimes to earn the Pack’s lone doubles win.
Smith topped Riverside’s No. 1 seed Carson Peele 9-7, while Mayo, Washington’s No. 6 seed, downed Riverside’s Kristen Davis 8-4.
“I think for Kiara it’s more of a mental game than a physical game. Today, she just decided that she’s going to win and fight,” Johnson said. “Isabelle has great footwork and she doesn’t make a whole lot of mistakes. She’s just a really an exciting girl who is passionate about tennis.”
The Knights got singles victories from No. 2 seed Lindsay Williams, who topped Mikaela Jones 8-0, while No. 3 seed Sara Modlin beat Diane Teixeira 8-3, No. 4 seed Blake Hardison downed Grimes 8-3 and McKenzie Mixon defeated Sydney Harris 8-6.
In doubles play, the Knights combination of Peele and Modlin pulled out an 8-4 victory over Smith and Teixeira, while Williams and Hardison beat Modlin and Harris 8-5.
Tuesday’s match was the first of the season for Riverside and afterwards coach Matt Mathews was pleased with his team’s debut.
“It was good. We have a lot of young players and I think our seniors showed leadership and were able to keep it together,” Mathews said.
Mathews said there were several players who put forth a good effort against the Pam Pack.
“Our No. 2 Lindsay Williams won her singles and her doubles matches and our No. 5 player McKenzie Mixon, who’s a freshman, won both her matches,” Mathews said. “Overall, I just thought our girls played well and played hard.”
The Knights will return to action next week against Tarboro, while the Pam Pack will be back on the court Thursday when it hits the road to take on Currituck.