Lady Rams Continue Winning Streak, Face Bulldogs Tonight

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Ashleigh Garcia, Paolite Staff Writer

The Lady Rams have started off the week with back-to-back wins. On Monday, April 18, the Rams Varsity Tennis team hosted the Eastern Pekin Musketeers. The Lady Rams win once again 4-1. The Rams also hosted the North Harrison Cougars and won 5-0.

“I thought we played well tonight considering it was extremely windy and very cold temperatures.  Rylie did a great job of coming back in the second set.  She was down 1-4 and came back to win.  Tinsley and Gracie did a good job hitting holes.  They are moving well together as a team,” said Head Coach Tyla Whitfield.

Sophomore Maddi Warren watches her shot. Photo by Olivia McSpadden

Winning matches for the Rams were sophomore Maddie Warren defeated Madeline Lewellen 6-4, 6-3. Senior Rylie Atkins defeated Evje Melkonian-Ezekian 6-4, 6-4.

“My next few matches will be against teams who are tougher, so I definitely need to be mentally prepared,” said Atkins.

Senior Rylie Atkins returns a volley. Photo by Olivia McSpadden

Senior Amanda Bowles defeated Erin England 6-4, 6-4. Senior Tinsley Moffatt and sophomore Gracie Brown defeated Brooke Sease and Kyla Rickard 6-2, 6-2.

The Rams ended with only one loss which included the team of senior Chelsea Deweese and freshman Taylor Patton, who lost to Isabel Cox and Lucia Rey-Jimenez.

Whitfield had a few great things to say about the win against North Harrison.

“Lina had the opportunity to get some Varsity playing time this evening.  She stepped out on the court and did not disappoint.  Chelsea and Micaela played well tonight.  They did not let their level of play drop to their opponents,” said Whitfield.  

All matches were won against the Cougars. Warren defeated Kendyl Lasley 6-0, 6-1. Atkins defeated Reece Smith 6-0, 6-0. Moffatt and Brown defeated Hope Whittaker and Kenna Smith 6-3, 6-4. And Deweese and MacDonald defeated Erica Ballew and Eve Wright 6-0, 6-1.

Another win for the Rams came from sophomore Lina Zheng, who defeated Daisy Pitman 6-1, 6-3.

“I felt like overall I did pretty well during my first varsity match this season. There were definitely a few moments where I felt nerves kicking in and moments where I knew I could have done better,” said Zheng.

The Lady Rams will go on to face the Bulldogs from New Albany tonight at home starting at 5 p.m.