With the recent start of the school year, the Greenwood High School tennis team began its season last Thursday, August 20th, at home against Class 7A Van Buren. The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs are coached by Dr. Ken Hamilton, a registered volunteer, assisted by Ted Childers.
The weather was spectacular for the season's opening contests against the Pointers and Lady Pointers. The Bulldogs won four matches, including both singles and doubles, and lost four as well.
The GHS boys are very young, but do return a pair of all-state players in Andrew Anderson and Paxton Evans. Those two combined for an 8-4 doubles victory over Van Buren. Sophomore David "Woody" Woodring and senior Ethan Walker also earned a doubles win by an identical score of 8-4. Greenwood freshman Kenny Sweeney and junior Johnny Thammarath lost their match (6-8).
In singles play, Anderson lost his first match (3-8), but easily won his second contest (8-0). Evans won 8-4, while Woodring lost 5-8. Junior Carson Loyd also lost in singles action, 1-8.
Like the boys, the GHS girls are also very young, returning only one senior this year as well, Laura Scherff. Against Van Buren, the Lady Bulldogs won five matches while dropping three.
In doubles play, the team of Maria Geoly and Lindsay Gills won 8-4. The combo of Hailey Rice and Kristen Keene won 8-3, while the duo of Jenna Rylko and Amber Alzofari won 8-6.
In singles action, Geoly lost 2-8, Rice lost 5-8, Hannah Swilling lost 3-8, Laura Scherff lost 0-8, Keene won 8-0, and Alzofari won 8-2.
Both Greenwood squads will be in action this Thursday, August 27th, at home on the courts next to the high school softball field. The opponent will be Siloam Springs and the start time is 3:30 p.m.