By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Even without previous No. 1 player Siena Davidson, who left the team for undisclosed reasons, Watauga women’s tennis continued its winning ways in the young 2023 season with a 9-0 decision over visiting Hickory on the first official day of classes, Aug. 21.
Everyone stepped up a position but the team hardly skipped a beat. Freshman Addison Cohen won at No. 1, with an 8-0 decision over the Red Tornadoes’ senior Mebane White, 8-0.
At No. 2, Pioneer sophomore Larson Berry got by Hickory junior Kate Banks, 8-0, while at No. 3, sophomore Kennedy Moore dispatched junior Kate Bridges, 8-1.
Watauga sophomore Fiona Russell prevailed at No. 4 singles, shutting out Hickory junior Caitlyn McCrary, 8-0.
The No. 5 singles win went to Watauga senior Abbi Shuman, defeating junior Addison Beard, 8-0, and the Pioneers’ junior Hatherly Armfield moved up to the No. 6 singles and defeated the Red Tornadoes’ sophomore, Gracie Nexson, 8-0.
In doubles, the No. 1 tandem of Cohen and Berry bested Hickory’s No. 1 duo, White and Banks, 8-2. At No. 2 doubles, Moore and Russell collaborated to defeat Bridges and McCrary, 8-0. Finally, at No. 3 doubles, Shuman and Armfield dominated Beard and Nexson, 8-1, to complete the Pioneer sweep.
Next, Watauga will host Maiden on Aug. 23.
