Shuffled Stars turn up aces with 5-0 victory over Linton

BNL’s Mallory Pride shifted to singles and posted a win at No.2 singles during Thursday’s win over Linton.

By Justin Sokeland

WBIW.com

BEDFORD – With a lineup that was shuffled like old cards, Bedford North Lawrence rolled to a crucial victory to change all the negative momentum from two tough losses. The Stars turned up aces when they needed them most.

Only two players were in familiar positions, yet the Stars scorched Linton 5-0 on Thursday afternoon. BNL (4-3) had to restructure because of a recent injury (Nadia Anderson) and illness (Bella Stigall). New faces in new places didn’t faze the Stars.

“We juggled things, and they all did really well,” BNL coach Joni Stigall said. “They responded well. They take things well. It was so important to win.”

The only constants were Becca Epping and Italy Lewis in singles. Epping cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 win over Abby Roney at No.1, while Lewis buzzed to a 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Grace Bredeweg at No.3.

All the other spots were marked by changes. Mallory Pride, playing singles for the first time in a year, stopped Cassie Goodman 6-4, 6-1 at No.2.

“She didn’t want to, and it took her a while,” Stigall said. “But she figured it out.”

In doubles, Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge shifted up to No.1, and they remained undefeated with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Natalie Brunson and Corrina Brown. Ashlyn Wever and Layla Gomez overcome a nervous start to top Marenna Lanham and Kallie Rice 6-1, 6-2 at No.2.

“Ashlyn and Layla were terrified,” Stigall said. “We had to tell them ‘Chill, it’s fine.’ And then they were like they had played together forever.”

BNL will host Loogootee on Monday.

BNL’s Becca Epping dropped only one game and cruised to a two-set win at No.1 singles.

BNL 5, LINTON 0

Singles

1 Becca Epping d. Abby Roney 6-0, 6-1

2 Mallory Pride d. Cassie Goodman 6-4, 6-1

3 Italy Lewis d. Grace Bredeweg 6-0, 6-1

Doubles

1 Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge d. Natalie Brunson and Corinna Brown 6-0, 6-2

2 Ashlyn Wever and Layla Gomez d. Marenna Lanham and Kallie Rice 6-1, 6-2