BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence swept the doubles and won two three-set battles while topping Barr-Reeve 4-1 in the season-opening tennis match on Monday afternoon.
Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride battled back from a first-set loss for a victory at No.1 doubles, while Becca Epping won marathon thriller at No.1 singles, powering the Stars in their debut on the home courts.
“A great start to our season,” BNL coach Joni Stigall said. “We could have easily laid down on a couple of courts, especially at 1 doubles, where they were down early, even in the second and third sets. Our mental game has improved as much, if not more, than our actual physical play, especially with Becca and that makes me really proud.”
Stigall and Pride clipped Dylan Decoursey and Sydney Swartzentruber 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 at No.1 doubles, while Epping topped Avery Lengacher 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 at No.1 singles.
BNL also posted wins at No.2 doubles (with Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge rolling past Alli Robinson and Liv Emmons 6-0, 6-1) and No.3 singles (with Italy Lewis decking Lexi Haller 6-2, 7-5).
“It could be a roller-coaster year, but a fun one,” Stigall said. “They all are very competitive and have the want to win, that will help them be successful in the coming matches. We made goals as a team a couple of weeks ago and they want to achieve those. This was a good step in that direction. I was proud of our team tonight.”
BNL will visit Martinsville on Tuesday.
BNL 4, BARR-REEVE 1
Singles
1 Becca Epping, BNL d. Avery Lengacher 6-3, 1-6, 6-1
2 Alexis Buse, BR d. Rachel Kidd 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3)
3 Italy Lewis. BNL d. Lexi Haller 6-2, 7-5
Doubles
1 Bella Stigall and Mallory Pride, BNL d. Dylan Decoursey and Sydney Swartzentruber 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
2 Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge, BNL d. Alli Robinson and Liv Emmons 6-0, 6-1
