Published: March 03, 2006 10:08 am      

Lady Devils win first tennis match

Red Devils struggle in season opener

They are the three-time defending champions of Region 4AA, but last Thursday the Jackson High School Red Devils tennis team looked like an entirely new program in their season opener against Jones County High School.

The Red Devils came into the season-opening match looking to pick up where they left off in 2005, but after losing all three singles players from last year Head Coach Greg Crawford was forced to play new faces in new places.

And that led to the team losing four of its five matches on the day.

“We were horrible,” said Crawford. “I’m going to have to make some changes before our next match if we are going to win.”

The only bright spot for the Red Devils Thursday came from the number one singles position where senior Jason Hodges won 8-5.

“Hodges played well, but we’re going to have to do something about our doubles team,” said Crawford.

Head Coach Carol Watts again had her ladies in fine form in their season opener as the Lady Devils won their match 4-1.

“We played so good and I’m so proud of these girls,” said Watts. “It was a great first match for us.”

Indeed it was a great first match for the Lady Devils. The number one singles player, senior Salli Medich, fought from behind to win 8-5. At number two singles it was sophomore Lindsey Nelson rallying back from an 0-4 deficit to win eight consecutive games to take her first career singles match 8-4.

Unlike the Red Devils who struggled at number one doubles, the Lady Devils won both of their doubles matches. Seniors Tiffany Schluter and Leona Barnes won at number one singles 8-2, while Casey Caudle and Tara Briscoe easily won at number two doubles 8-0.

Up next for the teams will Georgia Military College at home on February 28 at 4 p.m. The region schedule for the Red Devils and Lady Devils opens on March 7, when Lamar County comes to Jackson.