Lady Falcons drop tennis opener

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 31, 2004

WINDSOR – A loss can sometimes be a good sign.

Bertie’s tennis team dropped a 6-3 decision to Currituck here Thursday afternoon, but the effort was good enough to please fourth-year skipper Jackie Copeland.

&uot;I was very pleased with the team, especially since this was our first match of the season and Currituck’s third,&uot; Copeland said. &uot;I think it we continue to grow and improve, we’ll be okay this season.&uot;

A pair of Lady Falcons grabbed victories in their singles match.

Fourth-seeded Ashley Cowand defeated Margaret Holley in straight sets by a count of 6-0 and 6-0.

&uot;I was extremely pleased with Ashley’s play,&uot; Copeland said. &uot;Not just the victory, but her attitude on the court and how she handled herself.&uot;

Also picking up a victory was Holly Cowand, who prevailed 6-4, 6-2 over Samantha Castle.

The Lady Knights won the second-seed match when Lyndsay Norris topped Brittany Hoggard 6-2 and 6-0 and claimed the third-seed match by the same count, this time with Holly Harris defeating Deana Phelps.

The chance for the tie after the singles’ matches disappeared when Bertie top-seed Jordan Mizelle withdrew in her match against Ashley Overman. Mizelle was involved in an automobile accident earlier in the afternoon, but gave it a go only to have to withdraw after the first set due to neck pain.

&uot;I was really pleased with Jordan’s commitment,&uot; Copeland said. &uot;She wanted to play, but it was obvious she was in pain.&uot;

In the doubles competition, Bertie’s Ashley Hoggard and Rhonda Hoggard grabbed a 6-3 victory over Rose Drake and Castle in the second-seed.

Overman and Holley knocked off H. Cowand and B. Hoggard 9-1 to seal the victory for Currituck. In the final match, S. Hoggard and Megan Cowan dropped a close match to Walker and Cameron Spencer by a count of 6-3.

&uot;I’m very pleased with the play of my freshman, Holly Cowand,&uot; Copeland said. &uot;Currituck made it clear they were surprised to find out she was a freshman.

&uot;She has a lot of potential,&uot; she continued. &uot;If she continues to improve, she can be great at Bertie High School.&uot;

The Lady Falcons will host Pasquotank today (Tuesday) at 4 p.m. at the Windsor Town Courts.