Young Skyhawk netters flyin’ early

FAIRBORN — Losses are never fun, but Fairborn coach Doug Coy and the rest of the Skyhawks girls varsity tennis team remain upbeat about the team’s early fortunes.

Fairborn reeled off shutout wins over visiting Huber Heights Wayne and Greenon in its previous team matches. Tuesday’s narrow 3-2 loss to Greenville was the team’s first loss of the still very young season.

The Skyhawks (2-1) claimed wins at first singles and second doubles. Greenville’s Green Wave claimed the other three matches for the 3-2 team win, Tuesday afternoon on the brand spanking new Fairborn Community Park tennis courts.

Brooklyn Hunter remained undefeated so far in the season with a straight-set 6-1, 6-0 win over the Wave’s Molly Hunt.

Greenville German exchange student Ajna Mertel defeated Fairborn’s Kyla Secrest 6-2, 6-1 at second singles, and Wave teammate Anna Mangus claimed a 6-0, 6-0 win over Adele Bowling at third singles.

“We’re inexperienced. On a normal night, our entire varsity lineup is composed of juniors, and only two of them have any varsity experience,” Coy said. “We’re kind of learning on the fly as we go.”

Greenville’s Molly Rich-Neeps Kauer tandem won over Fairborn’s Shayna Osborne and Preslee Chapman by a 6-0, 6-1 score, but Fairborn partners Dakota Thatcher and Megan Koonce won at second doubles 6-7 (5), 4-1, when Greenville’s Larisa Schmitmeyer, who was paired up with Marribella Lance, had to retire due to injury.

Greenville (3-3) has won the Greater Western Ohio Conference’s North Division regular season title three out of the last four years. Their overall record during that span is 64-12. The team lost four matches all last season.

“This was by far the best team we’ve played all year. We’re capable of playing better than we did. I’m not sure that we would’ve beat them, but we’re capable of playing a lot better than we did. I think the girls are a little disappointed with how they played. For some reason, a few of them just didn’t have it tonight,” Coy said. “It’s a long season and we play a lot of matches in a reasonably short amount of time. We just have to be ready to play tomorrow.”

Fairborn heads over to New Lebanon to play Dixie High today for a nonleague contest, while Greenville is at Clayton Northmont for a GWOC crossover match.

The Skyhawks then return home Thursday for a match against an undefeated Beavercreek team, which shutout Greenville earlier this season.

The Fairborn first doubles duo of Shayna Osborne (serving) and Preslee Chapman fell in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 to Greenville’s Mallory Rich and Neeps Kauer, Tuesday on the Fairborn Community Park tennis courts.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/08/web1_DSC_0059-1.jpgThe Fairborn first doubles duo of Shayna Osborne (serving) and Preslee Chapman fell in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 to Greenville’s Mallory Rich and Neeps Kauer, Tuesday on the Fairborn Community Park tennis courts.

First singles player Brooklyn Hunter claimed a 6-1, 6-0 win over the Green Wave’s Molly Hunt. Fairborn’s second doubles team of Dakota Thatcher and Megan Koonce also won, Tuesday, at Community Park.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/08/web1_DSC_0027.jpgFirst singles player Brooklyn Hunter claimed a 6-1, 6-0 win over the Green Wave’s Molly Hunt. Fairborn’s second doubles team of Dakota Thatcher and Megan Koonce also won, Tuesday, at Community Park.

By John Bombatch

[email protected]

John Bombatch can be reached at 937-372-4444, Ext. 2123.