By Stephen Henderson

The Patrick County High School Lady Cougars picked up their first tennis team victory in Floyd last Thursday when they defeated the Lady Buffaloes 8-1.

“It was exciting to see the hard work these girls put in pay off,” said Coach Sharon Smith. “Former Lady Cougar tennis coach Megan Richardson and I have been working with most of the girls for the past four years. We have been able to focus on more strategy this year, and I like the results,” she said.

“I’m very impressed with how quickly our two new team members, Grace Williams and Carina Carrick, have picked up the game,” Smith said.

“Playing the larger city teams will always be challenging, but we are getting more competitive by the day,” Smith added.

Singles: Kristen Epperson (PC) def Alex Cox, 8–5; Shyann Walter (PC) def Karli Wimmer, 8-4; Gracen Baliles (PC) def Celest Hodge, 8-3; Hannah Martin (PC) def Aleaha Stout, 8-2; Helen Dawson (PC) def Katie Ferguson, 8-5; Ashton Young (PC) def Savannah Roberson, 8-3.

Doubles: K. Epperson/S. Walter (PC) def A. Cox/C. Hodge, 8-6; G. Baliles/H. Martin (PC) def K. Wimmer/K. Ferguson, 8-3; H. Dawson/S. Young (PC) lost to A. Stout/S. Roberson, 4-8.

Also winning their matches in exhibition play were Grace Williams and Carina Carrick .