Netters Come Close In Finals

The Cannon County Girls Tennis Team reached the championship game of the District 8-A/AA Tournament before falling one point short. Team members include, from left, Abbey Sissom, Katlyn Currie, Jordan Hollis, Emilee Lance, Darci Brandon and Taylor King. (RONNIE BURKS photo)

Cannon County's girls tennis team came with a point of capturing the District 8-A/AA Championship before settling for a second-place finish in a narrow 4-3 loss to Friendship Christian in Cookeville Thursday (May 5).

The Lionettes turned back Central Magnet 4-1 in the semifinals Wednesday to set up the title match. The boys team beat rival DeKalb County 4-1 in the first round before falling to Livingston Academy, 4-0, in the semifinals.

Darci Brandon, Taylor King, Emilee Lance and Jordan Hollis all won their singles matches against Central to pace the easy 4-1 win and set up the championship showdown against Friendship Christian.

After dropping the first two points in singles, Cannon County reeled off three straight win to take a 3-2 lead going to doubles. King turned back Haden Neal 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7-2) to secure Cannon County's first point.

"Taylor played a great match," Cannon County Head Coach Ronnie Burks said. "It may have been her best match. She was strong all-around and really got us going. She gave us a chance to win the championship."

Lance evened the match 2-2 with a 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 win against Jolin Baker, and Hollis came up big with a 6-0, 6-0 sweep against Madison Kane to provide the Lionettes the lead.

King and Katlyn Currie dropped an 8-3 decision to Adrian Ricketts and Neal at No. 1 doubles, and Darci Brandon and Lance fell to Jenna Hazelwood and Baker at No. 2 doubles as Friendship Christian fought back for the narrow win.

"I am proud of the girls and the way they battled," Burks said. "They had a chance to win a championship and go to the region. We just came up a little short."

BOYS

The boys team made short work of DeKalb County in the 8-A/AA first-round game. Mitchell Page took a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 1 singles and then Taylor Blanton and Hunter Brown provided Cannon County a 3-0 lead with straight-set wins at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively.

Bobby Fletcher took a straight-set win at No. 5 singles to clinch the 4-1 victory and move the Lions into the semifinals against Livingston Academy. Cannon County wasn't as fortunate in the next round, suffering a shutout against the Wildcats.

The individual district tournament is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday (May 9-10) in Cookeville.