Struggles continue for Pack tennis

Published 5:20 pm Friday, August 22, 2014

DAVID CUCCHIARA | DAILY NEWS DOUBLE FAULT: Head coach Miranda Whitley is looking to some of her younger players to step up and lead the team for the remainder of the season.

DAVID CUCCHIARA | DAILY NEWS
DOUBLE FAULT: Head coach Miranda Whitley is looking to some of her younger players to step up and lead the team for the remainder of the season.

Head coach Miranda Whitley knew entering the girls’ tennis season that her roster was young, but after some of her team’s top talent did not return in 2014, it’s beginning to look like more of a rebuilding year.

After losing a shortened first match earlier this week, Washington was blanked by Riverside on Thursday, 9-0.

While the score may not indicate any individual growth, some players exhibited strong performances against their Riverside counterparts.

Washington’s Danielle Duckwall battled against the Knights’ No. 1, McKenzie Mixon, but failed to force a third set, falling 6-2, 6-2.

It was a tough day for Tara O’Brien, who was outplayed by the Riverside’s No. 2, Blake Hardison. O’Brien fell in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.

Sidney Harris was neck and neck with Riverside’s Rogers in the first set, but would fall in tiebreakers, 14-12, and drop a tough second set, 6-1.

Logan Crisp and Sydney Lewis did not fair well in their matchups, but Nechelle Everette bounced back after a disappointing first set by pushing the second set into tiebreakers. In the longest singles match of the day, Everette failed to close out the final set, losing 7-6 (7-1).

In doubles, Riverside’s success would continue, as the Knights locked up two 8-5 victories and one commanding 8-1 match result.

With the loss, Washington drops to 0-2 on the young season and will look to rebound on the road against J.A. Holmes on Monday.