WORTON — Cambridge won the rematch in girls tennis here Friday, 5-2, overcoming the blustery conditions and host Kent County to split the regular-season series.
The Trojans were 4-3 winners in the season opener at Cambridge on March 25. They had senior Lizzy Watkins on that day, and she helped the cause with wins at No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles.
On Friday, however, Watkins was on a college visit out of state, so Kent County’s coaches had to make adjustments.
Junior Nina Fahrman stayed at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles, but everyone else was bumped up in the lineup.
Freshman Sophie Cousineau had the locals’ only win in singles, 8-5, at No. 3 against Gabby Blake.
Kent County’s other point came from the veteran duo of Jackie Grafton and Addison Cross, who took an 8-1 pro set at No. 2 from Blake and Sienna Mitchell.
Grafton exacted a measure of revenge after losing to Mitchell at No. 4 singles, 8-6.
The Trojans’ lineup on this day included Cross at No. 2 singles, and doubles teams of Fahrman-Cousineau at No. 1 and Sarah Vujanic-Ava Bower at No. 3.
While Kent County is 1-4, losing four matches in a row since the opening day win, first-year head coach Chanelle Copper is admirably upbeat.
“Things are going great,” she told The Evening Enterprise in a text message the day after the Cambridge match.
“I’m amazed at the improvement that I see in my girls. Yes, we’re taking some losses, but the competitiveness is there!”
Copper, who was a volleyball and basketball player at Kent County and has been an assistant coach with both programs at her alma mater, said she is “so proud to be a part of this great KCHS tennis team.”
Kent County travels to border rival Queen Anne’s today (Monday, April 15).
The next home match is 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 vs. North Caroline.
