Mills expects success for Knights` tennis

The North Lincoln Lady Knights tennis program fell to the Mooresville Lady Blue Devils 5-4 Wednesday.
Caroline Farris, the Lady Knights’ No. 1 seed, fell to Courtney Boyd 4-6, 3-6. No. 2 seed Sarah Long lost to Alison Billings 3-6, 6-7 (3-7 TB).
Jordan Kinney, playing at No. 3, defeated Lori Harrington 6-3, 6-2 for North’s first win of the match. At No. 4, May Eisner fought valiantly but fell to Anna Pardew 5-7, 5-7.
Hannah Mozeley, No. 5 for the Knights, beat Sarah Telford 6-4, 6-3 to bring North Lincoln to narrow the match margin to 3-2. Nataleigh Hitt was beaten by Laura Auten 3-6, 4-6 to finish out the singles’ play.
In doubles, Farris/Long lost to Boyd/Billings 5-8. The win placed the Lady Blue Devils up 5-2 and with only two more contests left, clinched the match.
The Kinney/Mozeley duo blanked Mariah Wood/Anna Wiggins 8-0. Teammates Eisner/Hitt then defeated Lauren Barton/Keri Carpenter 8-2 making the final score 5-4 Mooresville.
Lady Knights’ coach Julie Mills, despite the loss, believes this year will be solid.

Seniors Sarah Long, Meghan Hall and Elizabeth Rodriguez set a good example for the younger players.
“They’re very responsible at practice on time. They’re always giving 100 percent and are always positive which motivates everyone else on the team,” she said.
While not a senior, the leader of the squad is junior Caroline Farris.
“Caroline’s a hard worker. She’s always going to try to improve her game and is going to be a positive influence— cheer them up and get them motivated,” Mills said.
Jordan Kinney, only a sophomore, has exhibited great work ethic in the off-season. That effort draws praise from Mills.
“She spent a lot of time playing this summer. The other girls have seen that and it’s made them want to push themselves to do better. She’s improved a lot since last year,” she said.
So where does Mills see themselves falling in the Southern Foothills 1A Conference?
“I see us being second in the conference, but there is a possibility that we will be first. Hendersonville is our biggest challenge this year,” she said.
The Lady Knights had a successful first year and look to build on that success this year. by John Mark Brooks