Assertive Greenfield netters open season by doubling up Epiphany
By Jimmy Lewis jlewis@wilsontimes.com | 265-7807 | Twitter: @JimmyLewisWT
Perhaps, it’s a bit mechanical and impersonal to refer to them as products of the system.
Nevertheless, there’s a full-fledged girls tennis program on display at Greenfield School.
That program finally opened its 2020 season Monday against The Epiphany School of New Bern, one week after the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association allowed what it classified as “low-risk” sports to return to play amidst the backdrop of COVID-19.
Missing its usual No. 5 player in senior Alex Garner due to a college visit, the Lady Knights relied on their depth forged on a junior varsity unit that now houses in excess 20 players. Sophomore Anna Grace Beddingfield, playing in her first match up from the JV, entered in the No. 6 position and promptly dispatched Epiphany’s Mari Pritulsky in a 6-0, 6-0 decision.
Beddingfield was the first off the court as such, and Greenfield, using a starting singles lineup not afraid to take the initiative from point to point, put the outcome away before the start of doubles and produced a 6-3 victory at Laura Leslie Crudup Tennis Complex. Spectators were kept away from the court area and mainly in their vehicles per the NCISAA’s return-to-play protocol. Signs restricting fans beyond a certain point were planted in the ground at the entrance to the facility.
“They’re definitely gaining in confidence,” Greenfield coach Robin Morrison said. “As I’ve said, they’ve been part of this squad for a long time, so that’s part of the growth. And I think that they’re taking on the part of the mental fortitude. This game is a mental game, and so the physical prowess, they have it. They can move, they can strike the ball. It’s staying in that mental game that’s going to make all the difference.”
Beddingfield’s spotless performance at No. 6 set the tone for a bottom half of the order that exited the court first, all with wins for Greenfield, 1-A members of the split 1-A/2-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference. Sophomore Mia Genge worked her way to a 6-3, 6-3 conquest of Epiphany’s Aubriana Avelson, while a third sophomore, Mae Pridgen, turned back Caroline Corey 6-4, 6-2.
“She was on the top part of JV and even played for me last year,” Morrison said of Beddingfield. “So it’s not like she hasn’t been part of the varsity squad. Because they were easily pulled up last year. Lots of confidence and good, consistent players. The consistency is key, and that’s what I’m seeing more of this year.”
The Lady Knights put a stranglehold on the proceedings after incumbent No. 1 and senior Ryann Jennings brushed aside Epiphany’s Reagan Murphy 6-4, 6-2. Epiphany of the 2-A Coastal Independents Conference briefly averted the clinching point with Anna Haidt’s three-set win over Greenfield sophomore Luisa Lee, but junior Libby Eagles provided win No. 5 in the most circuitous of ways. She yielded a 10-8, 6-1 victory against Hannah Van Dyke after the pair lost track of the first-set score and played to a win-by-two scenario. Other courts found themselves frequently on the incorrect service box for their game score.
Led by Jennings, Greenfield found itself on the offensive in singles and frequently dictated with sharp ground strokes that glistened with angular intent.
“A lot of the confidence has definitely grown over the years,” Jennings said. “But again, it’s all because of (Morrison). She’s just teaching us how to handle situations and be the attacker.”
Morrison opted to work on her program’s depth in doubles play, at least in the No. 3 spot. Senior Sallie Gliarmis and junior Bailee Hayes were inserted in that position, while Greenfield picked up its sixth win with Lee-Pridgen turning back Van Dyke-Corey 8-3 at No. 2.
“I can’t grow it any more than it’s already grown here,” Morrison said of the Greenfield tennis explosion. “The guys come out and hit with them, so it’s nice to have such good team camaraderie. The girls come together and support one another, and even have the guys come out here and support them, too.”
The Lady Knights, in pursuit of exceeding their five-win total from a year ago, visit Lake Wilson Tennis Club on Tuesday to face crosstown opponent Community Christian.
“We do have some different challenges this year,” Morrison said. “But either way, they’re ready for it. Whether it’s one, two, three, it doesn’t matter. They’re ready.”
By Jimmy Lewis jlewis@wilsontimes.com | 265-7807 | Twitter: @JimmyLewisWT
Perhaps, it’s a bit mechanical and impersonal to refer to them as products of the system.
Nevertheless, there’s a full-fledged girls tennis program on display at Greenfield School.
That program finally opened its 2020 season Monday against The Epiphany School of New Bern, one week after the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association allowed what it classified as “low-risk” sports to return to play amidst the backdrop of COVID-19.
Missing its usual No. 5 player in senior Alex Garner due to a college visit, the Lady Knights relied on their depth forged on a junior varsity unit that now houses in excess 20 players. Sophomore Anna Grace Beddingfield, playing in her first match up from the JV, entered in the No. 6 position and promptly dispatched Epiphany’s Mari Pritulsky in a 6-0, 6-0 decision.
Beddingfield was the first off the court as such, and Greenfield, using a starting singles lineup not afraid to take the initiative from point to point, put the outcome away before the start of doubles and produced a 6-3 victory at Laura Leslie Crudup Tennis Complex. Spectators were kept away from the court area and mainly in their vehicles per the NCISAA’s return-to-play protocol. Signs restricting fans beyond a certain point were planted in the ground at the entrance to the facility.
“They’re definitely gaining in confidence,” Greenfield coach Robin Morrison said. “As I’ve said, they’ve been part of this squad for a long time, so that’s part of the growth. And I think that they’re taking on the part of the mental fortitude. This game is a mental game, and so the physical prowess, they have it. They can move, they can strike the ball. It’s staying in that mental game that’s going to make all the difference.”
Beddingfield’s spotless performance at No. 6 set the tone for a bottom half of the order that exited the court first, all with wins for Greenfield, 1-A members of the split 1-A/2-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference. Sophomore Mia Genge worked her way to a 6-3, 6-3 conquest of Epiphany’s Aubriana Avelson, while a third sophomore, Mae Pridgen, turned back Caroline Corey 6-4, 6-2.
“She was on the top part of JV and even played for me last year,” Morrison said of Beddingfield. “So it’s not like she hasn’t been part of the varsity squad. Because they were easily pulled up last year. Lots of confidence and good, consistent players. The consistency is key, and that’s what I’m seeing more of this year.”
The Lady Knights put a stranglehold on the proceedings after incumbent No. 1 and senior Ryann Jennings brushed aside Epiphany’s Reagan Murphy 6-4, 6-2. Epiphany of the 2-A Coastal Independents Conference briefly averted the clinching point with Anna Haidt’s three-set win over Greenfield sophomore Luisa Lee, but junior Libby Eagles provided win No. 5 in the most circuitous of ways. She yielded a 10-8, 6-1 victory against Hannah Van Dyke after the pair lost track of the first-set score and played to a win-by-two scenario. Other courts found themselves frequently on the incorrect service box for their game score.
Led by Jennings, Greenfield found itself on the offensive in singles and frequently dictated with sharp ground strokes that glistened with angular intent.
“A lot of the confidence has definitely grown over the years,” Jennings said. “But again, it’s all because of (Morrison). She’s just teaching us how to handle situations and be the attacker.”
Morrison opted to work on her program’s depth in doubles play, at least in the No. 3 spot. Senior Sallie Gliarmis and junior Bailee Hayes were inserted in that position, while Greenfield picked up its sixth win with Lee-Pridgen turning back Van Dyke-Corey 8-3 at No. 2.
“I can’t grow it any more than it’s already grown here,” Morrison said of the Greenfield tennis explosion. “The guys come out and hit with them, so it’s nice to have such good team camaraderie. The girls come together and support one another, and even have the guys come out here and support them, too.”
The Lady Knights, in pursuit of exceeding their five-win total from a year ago, visit Lake Wilson Tennis Club on Tuesday to face crosstown opponent Community Christian.
“We do have some different challenges this year,” Morrison said. “But either way, they’re ready for it. Whether it’s one, two, three, it doesn’t matter. They’re ready.”
