WHS nets win over Falcons
Published 9:03 pm Thursday, October 6, 2011
![WHS tennis seniors web](http://www.wdnweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2011/10/WHS-tennis-seniors-web.jpg)
Washington seniors (from left) Aquilla Gardner, Erin Stowe, Paige Ingalls and Ashlan Ingalls pose for a picture after topping South Central 6-3 on Senior Night at Washington High School Thursday. (WDN Photo/Brian Haines)
The Pam Pack seniors made the most of their final home game at Washington High School Thursday as they combined to help top Coastal Conference rival South Central 6-3 on Senior Night.
Washington’s No. 1 seed Kiara Smith pulled out a thriller over the Falcons top netter Molly Hostetter as she won 6-2, 2-6 (10-7) in a marathon match to highlight Thursday’s action.
“That was probably her most exciting match of the season,” Washington coach Phedora Johnson. “Watching her play tonight, she was great at the net, she loves being at the net and it showed.”
Lanie Smith, Washington’s No. 4 seed, blew past Kayleigh Gaskell 6-1, 6-0, while No. 5 seed Tori Edwards was equally dominant topping Maria Yagne 6-1, 6-0. Senior Erin Stowe said goodbye to Washington High School in style as she played one of her best matches of the year en route to beating Renee Yagne 6-0, 6-0.
“Erin Stowe was amazing in both singles and doubles,” Johnson said. “She’s like a great wine, she just gets better and better the more she plays.”
Seniors Page Ingalls and Ashlan Ingalls both lost their singles matches, but made up for it in doubles play when they teamed up to top South Central’s Maggie Mullis and Gaskell.
“Paige and Ashlan were great,” Johnson said. “I’m so proud of those girls for working together and communicating on the court.”
After each winning their singles’ matches, Stowe and Edwards picked up another victory as they combined to beat Maria and Rennee Yagne 8-2.
While Smith was able to leg out an exciting solo match, her and Lanie Smith fell short in doubles play as they lost 8-1.
Overall, it was a good night for the Pam Pack as the win helped the team maintain its second place spot in the Coastal Conference and gave seniors Aquilla Gardner, Stowe, Ashlan Ingalls and Paige Ingalls a happy send off.
Johnson, who is in her first year with the Pam Pack, said the help of those four seniors has been extremely valuable during her rookie campaign.
“Their leadership was so appreciated,” Johnson said. “I’m so grateful that they were able to rally the girls like they did when that was needed. They’re just so concerned with the welfare of the team and that definitely helped me out because sometimes hearing things is different coming from a team member than a coach. Having them as back up was just awesome.”
The Pam Pack seniors and the rest of the team will look to build on Thursday’s momentum when they play West Craven on Monday.