Washington County Enterprise-Leader
U.S. 62 Rivals Square Off On Tennis Court
FARMINGTON — Farmington and Prairie Grove battled on the tennis courts as part of a three-way match with Union Christian on Sept. 5.
The U.S. 62 rivals met for the first time this season with both teams taking victories in the rivalry. In boys singles, senior Chase Holiman took one for the Cardinals by defeating Parker Galligan, of Prairie Grove, 6-2.
“Chase played really well. He is in a good spot right now. He feels good, he’s hitting the ball real smooth,” said Farmington coach Matt Mahan.
The Tigers bounced back to sweep the boys doubles matches with the team of Evan Rush and David Smith handing Will Warren and John Bunyard, of Farmington, a 6-1 loss.
“From start to finish, Evan Rush has really improved. He’s been very impressive,” said Prairie Grove coach Shelley Dougan. “He’s been very coachable and has worked hard and worked out on his own.”
In girls singles, Maria Maraver, a foreign-exchange student from Spain, has added a new dynamic to the Tigers. Maraver defeated Jenifer Palmer, of Farmington, 6-4.
“I can’t understand hardly anything she says. Sometimes I make her repeat things but she’s really cool,” said fellow senior and teammate, Steppen Clark. “She’s really funny and meshes well with the team. She fits right in and, oh, she’s our best player.”
Maraver is also playing volleyball for the Tigers and has to split time practicing both sports.
“She’s trying to adjust communication-wise and fit in,” Dougan said. “She’s got a great attitude and work ethic.”
Kaylee Kyger won her match for Farmington, 6-0, over Aryanna Mitchell, of Prairie Grove; and in the final girls singles match, senior Cardinal Haley Maxwell defeated senior Tiger Lacey Beeks, 6-0.
Despite the loss, Beeks remains optimistic in only her second year of tennis.
“I feel like I am doing a lot better. I still have a lot to work on,” Beeks said, adding she anticipates more improvement by season’s end.
In girls doubles, the tandem of Maxwell and junior Teah Flynn, proved too much for Prairie Grove’s Callie Robinson and Abby Smith. The Lady Cardinals won 6-0 and Flynn said the pair have grown close as friends and doubles partners.
“It gets to me if I like miss a point or a shot. I feel like I let her down but we move past it and get the next one,” Flynn said.
“They play real well together. They kind of have the same thoughts throughout a match, the same vision,” Mahan said.
In the other girls doubles match, Samantha Troilo and Patti Bruno, of Farmington, defeated Clark and Mitchell, of Prairie Grove, 6-2.