Early season success helps Jackets
Rockmart’s tennis teams working toward another big year.
Rockmart’s t e nnis program is back in full swing for the season and are working to build off of their past success to make a statement this spring.
As of last week, the teams stood at 3-2 for the boys and 4-1 for the girls, according to coach Barry Owen.
His teams have come up with wins over Rome, Cedartown, Model, Armuchee and Trion in a young season in the past weeks.
Here’s a rundown from Owen of how the teams have fared through Feb. 27:
The girls stand at 4- 1 while the boys have a 3-2 record. The girls started the season defeating Rome 4- 1. Emma Evans won 6- 2, 4- 6, 1- 0( 107), Mary Ella Owen won 6-1, 6-1 and Taylor McVey won 6-1, 6-1. The doubles team of Alexis Casey and Rose Haney won 6-3, 6-3. The boys defeated Rome 3-2 with Timothy Malone, 6-1, 6-0, Jackson Norris, 6-0, 6-1 and Bennett Vest, 7-6, 6-2 all winning at singles.
The girls defeated Cedartown 5-0 for their second win of the season. Emma Evans won 6-2, 6-4, Mary Ella Owen won 6-1, 6-1 and Taylor McVey won 7- 6, 6- 1. Alexis Clanton and Anna Smith won 6-2, 6 -2 while Alexis Casey and Rose Haney were victorious, winning 6-1,6 -3.
The boys came up short losing 3-2 with Bennett Vest winning 6-4, 6-2 and the doubles team of Elijah Malone and Kaleb Shelton winning 7-5, 6-2.
The girls came through with a 5-0 win at home against Model with Emma Evans, 6-1, 6-0, Mary Ella Owen, 6-0, 6-0 winning at singles while Taylor McVey received a forfeit.
Rockmart swept the doubles with Alexis Clanton and Anna Smith winning 6-3, 6-0 while Alexis Casey and Rose Haney won 4-6, 7-5, 1-0(10-6).
The boys lost to Model in a tight match 3-2. Jackson Norris and Bennet Vest were victorious winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 and 6-0, 6-2 respectively.
The girls fell to Trion 3-2 with Rockmart’s wins coming from Emma Evans, 6-1, 6-1 and Mary Ella 6-2, 6-2. The boys swept all five lines with Timothy Malone, 6-1, 6-3, Jackson Norris, 6-4, 6-3 and Bennett Vest 6-1, 6-3 winning at singles. Elijah Malone and Hunter England won 6-0, 6-3 while Dillon Mahan and Gavin Tan won 6-3, 6-4. The teams hosted Armuchee in the past weeks, with both teams coming away victorious. The girls won all five lines with Emma Evans, 7-6, 7-5, Mary Ella Owen ,4-6, 7-5, 1-0(10-3) and Taylor McVey 6-3, 6-3 winning at singles. Alexis Clanton and Anna Smith won 6-2, 6-3 while Alexis Casey and Rose Haney won 6-2, 6-1.
The boys came out on top with a 4- 1 score. Jackson Norris, 6-3, 6-3 and Bennett Vest, 6-1, 6-0 won at singles while Elijah Malone and Hunter England won at doubles 6-4, 3-6, 6-0. Dillon Mahan and Gavin Tan won 6-1, 6-3.
Both teams now hope to build on their success from last season which saw the girls win the 7-AA Region championship and advance to the State Final Four. The boys finished second in the region last year and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.