Williamstown girls tennis takes down PHS

Williamstown’s Gabi Holl hits the ball during Friday’s match against Parkersburg. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

PARKERSBURG — On the warmest day of the spring here Friday afternoon at City Park host Parkersburg and Williamstown split their tennis match as the Big Red boys secured a 5-2 triumph while the Yellowjacket girls held on for a 4-3 victory.

The final singles match of the day came at No. 1 for the girls where ‘Jacket Gabi Holl and Liya Tewodros were knotted at five before the Big Red secured the final three points for the victory.

Parkersburg’s only other victories came at No. 1 doubles with Tewodros and Emma Stanley doubling up Holl and Ashtyn McIntyre, 8-4, and at three doubles with Camille Tatterson and Braylee White handing Lauren Deem and Hailey Barnes an 8-5 setback.

Addi Woodburn secured a win at No. 2 singles by upending Stanley, 8-3. Big Red Ella Grace Haddox lost 8-2 at three singles to McIntyre while Peyton Woodburn topped Emmalee Pritchett, 8-4, at four singles.

“We originally had the match scheduled for earlier and not realizing that I worked all day on Good Friday because the kids were off. That was a little mixup so we pushed it back,” said WHS head coach Diana Leo, who watched the Woodburns win 8-4 at two doubles versus Haddox and Pritchett.

Williamstown’s Brady Woodard serves the ball during Friday’s match against Parkersburg. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“A little A/AA, you know, coming in here and we were hoping for good matches, good experience. It was worth every part of it for the experience and them learning. It was just a really fun day, a beautiful day and everybody got games and points. It was tight on both sides, especially the girls.”

Williamstown No. 2 singles player Gavin Hill had to leave town early and he played his match against Christian Marshall starting at noon and came up short, 8-4. Alex Marshall, who lost 8-4 at No. 1 singles to Brady Woodard, joined his brother at No. 2 doubles for an 8-0 triumph versus Hill and Brady Anderson, who fell 8-3 at four singles to Truman Roberts.

Manny Tewodros delivered an 8-1 win at No. 3 singles against Williamstown’s Isaac Harris, who partnered with Woodard at one doubles to take care of Tewodros and Roberts, 8-4.

“It was a good turnout for the boys today. Williamstown is always a very good team and anytime we have the chance to play them we’re going to take that opportunity because they are a good program,” said PHS head man Eric Stanley, who watched his No. 3 doubles tandem of Cale Stutler and Isaac Stephens blank AJ Kitchen and Noah Mourat, 8-0. “The girls for Williamstown did a very good job today. Our girls fought hard.

“Just came up a little short and the heat today ended up being a contributing factor. The girls are right in the middle of the pack, four-five, in the region so they are still in good standing. They unfortunately lost today to a good ‘Jackets squad. The boys are primed and ready to go. They’ve got a tough opponent tomorrow with Morgantown (9:30 a.m. at City Park), which is top five in the state and then next week is MSACs. It’s a one-day event. It’ll be Monday or Tuesday depending on the rain.”

Williamstown’s Ashtyn McIntyre backhands the ball during Friday’s match against Parkersburg. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Williamstown has the weekend off before returning to action on Monday when Lewis County is set to invade.

“Our expectation and goal is to win both regionals and we have another regional match on Monday,” added coach Leo. “They have a good team so we’re looking forward to the match. Playing PHS helps us so much going into that match and going into regionals and I appreciate them always playing against us and helping us get better because it helps both of us.

“We’re different divisions and it’s good. All these kids know each other and many of them play together in privates and in clinics. It was just good all-around tennis and it was a good day and everybody was positive. It was just a great day.”

Contact Jay Bennett at [email protected]

Williamstown’s Addi Woodburn backhands the ball during Friday’s match against Parkersburg. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)