WINDSOR – Bertie High School claimed their first tennis victory of the season last week.

The Lady Falcons stopped Pasquotank County High School 8-1 to grab the Northeastern Coastal Conference victory.

“We started off the year working hard at practice and lost the first two matches, but both were very close,” said veteran BHS Tennis Coach Jackie Copeland.

The Lady Falcons won five singles’ matches and all three doubles’ contests to claim the victory.

Terry-Lynn Smith started the victories with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Kayleigh Zinter in the battle of number two seeds. Third-seeded Sandi Todd then claimed a win over Anesha Bembry by identical counts of 6-3.

In the battle of number fours, Bertie’s Andrea Dunlow defeated Chloe Rumolha 7-8, 6-4 and 10-5.

“Andrea Dunlow played two hours and 38 minutes to win her singles game to help the team win,” Copeland said. “I was proud of her.”

Also gaining a victory was fifth-seeded Carmen Villamor who defeated Sarah Scott 6-4, 7-5 and Kate White, who topped Morgan Pepple.

Bertie top-seed Jody Mizelle suffered a 7-5, 6-1 loss to Victoria Jeffries of Pasquotank.

In doubles action, Bertie’s top duo of Mizelle and Smith claimed a 10-7 win over Jeffries and Zinter.

“Terri-Lynn and Jody were down 3-0 in their doubles match, but came back by working hard and giving it 110 percent,” Copeland said.

Dunlow and Todd then won the battle of number two doubles teams by a 10-0 count while Donna Mizelle and Whitney Harden won at number three by defeating Anesha Bembry and Nikki Franklin 10-6.

“We are a competitive team this year,” Copeland said. “We just have to believe we can win overall as a team.”

Bertie is now 1-3 and will host Hertford County today (Tuesday).