Two of the area’s top girls tennis programs now get to battle it out when it counts, and the first battle went to Western as the Warriors beat cross-county rival Albemarle 7-2 in the squads’ first Jefferson District clash Wednesday.
Western got a big lift from Emily Kochard at No. 1 singles as she picked up a 10-0 win. Molly Napolitano was the lone Albemarle player who managed a win in singles, edging Stephanie Barton 10-7 after rallying from a 7-4 deficit. Maddy Ix, Maggie Roesch, Savannah Diamond and Noelle Smith made sure that didn’t matter with wins at singles. Ix’s hard-fought win at No. 2 was a particularly big one for the Warriors.
Western 7, Albemarle 2
Singles
1. Emily Kochard(W) d. Kaitlyn Grossman 10-0
2. Maddy Ix(W) d. Maddie Williamson 10-5
3. Molly Napolitano(A) d. Stephanie Barton 10-7
4. Maggie Roesch(W) d. Erin McCullen 10-5
5. Savannah Diamond(W) d. Madeline Bruggeman 10-2
6. Noelle Smith(W) d. Gabby Balcels 10-3
Doubles
1. Kochard/Ix(W) d. Grossman/Napolitano 10-1
2. Williamson/McCullen(A) d. Diamond/Stith 11-10(7-4)
3. Sadie Gupton/Rosy Ix(W) d. Bruggeman/Balcells 10-6
