Fast start helps Franklin#8217;s girls to a win

Published 12:00 am Monday, April 14, 2008

FRANKLIN—Franklin High School won its first three singles matches en route to a 5-3 win over Northampton High School in a non-district girls tennis match Thursday.

The third doubles match was not completed due to rain.

Jennifer Sing, last year’s Group A, Region A singles champ, defeated Alexis Hand at first singles 8-1 (pro sets were played due to the threat of bad weather).

Hand was the same opponent Sing defeated in last year’s Group A, Region A championship. A baseline player, Sing moved the ball from side to side and was able to hit deep most of the match.

“I like the baseline. I don’t like the net unless I am playing doubles,” Sing said. “My comfort zone has always been the baseline in singles. In doubles I have my partner with me.”

Sing is looking again at a run to the state tournament.

“I’m taking them one at a time, but I guess the main competition (in the region) is Alexis,” Sing said of her opponent. “She will probably take the region next year after I graduate.

“Ultimately my goal is to get to the state finals this year.”

At second singles, Franklin’s Corrie Webber knocked off Hannah LeMoyne 8-2. Kylee Ponder kept the streak going at third singles with an 8-6 win over Kate Renner.

Fourth singles saw the Yellow Jackets break through when Becky Hopkins defeated Franklin’s Kelli Sweat 8-5.

Franklin (2-0) scored its decisive fourth point at fifth singles when Kate Gray defeated Melissa Watterson 8-6.

The doubles team of Sing and Webber downed Hand and LeMoyne 8-2.