NewsAthleticsUpper School
Tennis Scores Success
May 1, 2000 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
Varsity Tennis
The girls varsity team finished, 11-2 . The losses were against Westminster and Lovett during the region tournament. “We felt we had a chance to advance to the state tournament, but unfortunately we couldn’t,” Coach Virginie Morel said. “The season ended abruptly. We knew it was going to be tough; we simply didn’t expect to lose.”
During the regular season, the team was strong, with wins against Dalton, Calhoun, Rome, Trion, Holy Innocents, Walker, Pace, and Lovett.
“Stephanie Doerner met my expectations at the number one spot,” Morel said. “Ruth Kivastik’s game improved during the season, leaving her undefeated at the number two spot,” Morel added. Bess Kelly was a team pillar at three spot. “Kelly proved that her game could adjust to a higher level. She has great spirit and potential,” Morel stated.
The number one doubles team, Amanda Bevill and Tiffany Payne, was strong and consistent. The number two doubles team was alternatively played by Rebecca Rhodes and Katie Galloway or Lauren Dismuke and Katie Pritchett.
Boys Tennis
Darlington’s boys tennis ended with an overall 6-8 record, including a 4-3 region record.
The team began the season March 15 with a loss to Dalton, 3-2. Swiftly they changed winds, March 21, beating Calhoun, 4-1.
A loss to Rome, March 22, was a tough one. “We could have beaten Rome but lost two very close singles matches,” Coach Carlos Ortega said.
The Tigers’ next tournament, a win against Holy Innocents, March 28, marked the first time in five years they reigned over these rivals. The next tournament, against Walker on March 30, was a close one, with Darlington taking a 3-2 loss. Then the Tigers displayed good effort in the match against Lovett April 6. Although the Tigers lost, 3-2, this was a great win for Cameron Leslie, Darlington’s number three singles player.
The Tigers lost to Westminster, 7-3 April 10, but number one singles player, Trammell Starr, was triumphant in his match. The Tigers fell again April 14 against Milton, 4-1, but rebounded against Montgomery Academy 3-2 on April 15. “This was a great win as two of our players came from behind to win the match,” Ortega said.
The winning continued with victories over Gordon Lee, 5-0, and Calhoun, 3-0, on April 17. Then on April 18, against Walker, the Tigers took another tough loss, 3-2. With the score tied 2-2, the number one doubles team was playing the third and decisive set, only to lose in a tiebreaker, 7-5. “It doesn’t get any closer than that,” Ortega stated.
“Cameron Leslie had a 9-4 record as our number three singles player. He had great wins against Lovett and Walker,” Ortega said. “I was pleased with the maturity that the team showed in at region. They fought for every point.”
JV Girls Tennis
The junior varsity girls tennis team has a 2-4 record, with wins against Calhoun and Rome and losses to Westminster, Lovett, and Holy Innocents. The match scheduled against Walker was cancelled. The team’s competition against Atlanta private schools was tough; however, individual matches were relatively close, said Coach Dan Bishop.
“This year’s team is quite young, but extremely talented and motivated. If they all continue to play, I feel Darlington’s girls tennis will be in good hands for the future,” said Bishop.
The girls varsity team finished, 11-2 . The losses were against Westminster and Lovett during the region tournament. “We felt we had a chance to advance to the state tournament, but unfortunately we couldn’t,” Coach Virginie Morel said. “The season ended abruptly. We knew it was going to be tough; we simply didn’t expect to lose.”
During the regular season, the team was strong, with wins against Dalton, Calhoun, Rome, Trion, Holy Innocents, Walker, Pace, and Lovett.
“Stephanie Doerner met my expectations at the number one spot,” Morel said. “Ruth Kivastik’s game improved during the season, leaving her undefeated at the number two spot,” Morel added. Bess Kelly was a team pillar at three spot. “Kelly proved that her game could adjust to a higher level. She has great spirit and potential,” Morel stated.
The number one doubles team, Amanda Bevill and Tiffany Payne, was strong and consistent. The number two doubles team was alternatively played by Rebecca Rhodes and Katie Galloway or Lauren Dismuke and Katie Pritchett.
Boys Tennis
Darlington’s boys tennis ended with an overall 6-8 record, including a 4-3 region record.
The team began the season March 15 with a loss to Dalton, 3-2. Swiftly they changed winds, March 21, beating Calhoun, 4-1.
A loss to Rome, March 22, was a tough one. “We could have beaten Rome but lost two very close singles matches,” Coach Carlos Ortega said.
The Tigers’ next tournament, a win against Holy Innocents, March 28, marked the first time in five years they reigned over these rivals. The next tournament, against Walker on March 30, was a close one, with Darlington taking a 3-2 loss. Then the Tigers displayed good effort in the match against Lovett April 6. Although the Tigers lost, 3-2, this was a great win for Cameron Leslie, Darlington’s number three singles player.
The Tigers lost to Westminster, 7-3 April 10, but number one singles player, Trammell Starr, was triumphant in his match. The Tigers fell again April 14 against Milton, 4-1, but rebounded against Montgomery Academy 3-2 on April 15. “This was a great win as two of our players came from behind to win the match,” Ortega said.
The winning continued with victories over Gordon Lee, 5-0, and Calhoun, 3-0, on April 17. Then on April 18, against Walker, the Tigers took another tough loss, 3-2. With the score tied 2-2, the number one doubles team was playing the third and decisive set, only to lose in a tiebreaker, 7-5. “It doesn’t get any closer than that,” Ortega stated.
“Cameron Leslie had a 9-4 record as our number three singles player. He had great wins against Lovett and Walker,” Ortega said. “I was pleased with the maturity that the team showed in at region. They fought for every point.”
JV Girls Tennis
The junior varsity girls tennis team has a 2-4 record, with wins against Calhoun and Rome and losses to Westminster, Lovett, and Holy Innocents. The match scheduled against Walker was cancelled. The team’s competition against Atlanta private schools was tough; however, individual matches were relatively close, said Coach Dan Bishop.
“This year’s team is quite young, but extremely talented and motivated. If they all continue to play, I feel Darlington’s girls tennis will be in good hands for the future,” said Bishop.
