FHS duo claims two regional tennis titles

Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 14, 2007

SUFFOLK—Franklin High School’s Jenni Sing and the team of Sing and Rebecca Stephenson are returning to the state championships after winning Region A girls tennis championships on Wednesday and Thursday at the Howard Mast Tennis Courts.

Sing, Franklin’s first singles player, defeated her opponent from Mathews High School 6-0, 6-1 on Wednesday. On Thursday, Sing defeated Alexis Hand of Northampton High 6-0, 6-2 to win the region title and advance to the state tournament. Sing has beaten Hand, a ninth-grader, three times this year.

&uot;She pretty much dominated the whole match. She was very consistent and played her game,&uot; Francis said.

In doubles Sing and Stephenson downed Mathews 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the semifinals, then beat Northampton in the finals 6-1, 6-2.

Francis said that last year, Franklin’s doubles opponents were the opposite in the semifinals and finals, and that Mathews had the better team. Sing and Stephenson dropped a set in the semis but swept the finals.

&uot;They got a little nervous,&uot; she said. &uot;When it was over, Jenni said it was good practice for the states. They are looking forward to the state (tournament). That was the goal.&uot;

The state championships will be next Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Radford University.