Lady Dragons tennis gets win over Oak Ridge
Dragons short on boys; expectations high for girls
Sophomore Molly Buchanan, Lady Dragons No. 3, returns a serve during last Thursday’s away match against Oak Ridge. (photo:Tony Cox )
The Lady Dragons have losses to Gibbs and Knoxville West, but they closed the week with a 5-4 win over rival Oak Ridge Thursday.
Clinton second-year head Coach Hannah Cunningham said that she has hopes for the Lady Dragons, who are anticipating a rematch against Gibbs, after losing to the Lady Eagles in their season opener, 5-4, at Tyson Park in Knoxville.
“I have high expectations for our girls and I would like to see our girls play for the district championship and both singles and doubles,” Cunningham said.
The Lady Dragons return the No. 1 singles player, and Sara Boundy, a senior, is a two-time district tournament finalist.
At No. 2 singles. Josie Moody (a three-sport star who also plays volleyball and basketball) returns. Sophomore Molly Buchanan will play at No. 3 singles
Kyleigh Gallaher, another multiple sport athlete, will play No. 4 singles. Junior Adddie Haney (who also plays soccer) will occupy the No. 5 rung on the singles ladder.
Jasmine Erick, a senior, opened the year at No. 6 singles, but that spot will likely be in flux throughout the season as Lauren Farmer, Grace Allen and Leah Hernandez also look to compete for time at that spot.
The doubles teams are set for Clinton with Moody and Gallaher occupying the No. 1 spot, while Boundy and Buchanan will play at No. 2. Farmer and Haney will compete at No. 3 doubles.
While the girls are looking to make a deep postseason run, the boys lost all their top players from 2023 to graduation. They entered this week with just five players, although Cunningham said her team may have and additional member on the way.
“Right now, I’ve been forfeiting matches because I don’t have enough guys,” Cunningham said. “We may have another boy joining us soon, and I’m working the halls and recruiting every day. We’re young and rebuilding.
“My guys are all either first or second-year players. They’re good athletes and they play other sports, so they’re catching on pretty quickly,” she said.
“This is a sport that will help you in your other sports because it helps you with footwork. It’s also a sport that you can play pretty much for the rest of your life. You can’t play football or pickup basketball for the rest of your life.”
The Dragons have beaten Gibbs and lost to both West High and Oak Ridge.
Junior Jack Wilson is Clinton’s No. 1 singles player. Keaton Cook opened the season at No. 2. Josiah Shelton is playing at No. 3. Camden Nelson is occupying the No. 4 spot and Gavin Clock is playing No. 5. The No. 6 rung on the singles ladder is vacant.
Cook and Shelton are playing No. 1 doubles, while Wilson and Nelson are playing at No. 2.