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Bulldog Tennis Blitzes Devils

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Avon Park's Mitchell Guerndt blasts a serve during Monday's match against DeSoto at SFCC.

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

Published: February 25, 2009

Updated:

AVON PARK - Youth was not served in Monday's Class 2A-District 9 tennis matches between Avon Park and DeSoto.

The Red Devils, with only two seniors on the girls team and none on the boys squad, displayed great tenacity in their first match of the season before losing to the experienced Bulldogs.

DeSoto won the girls match, which was played at the Avon Park city courts, by a score of 6-1, while the Bulldogs swept the boys match at South Florida Community College by a score of 7-0.

"I'm proud of our effort because we had four girls playing in their very first varsity match," said Avon Park girls coach Melinda Pollitt. "DeSoto's players were experienced and our girls were very nervous.

"Even though we didn't win a lot of sets, we were competitive and I was encouraged because the girls played hard and never gave up."

Leading the way for the Red Devil girls was senior Angie Carillo, who knocked off Gabi Edelmann at No. 1 singles, 7-5, 6-2.

"Angie fell behind early, but she got over her nerves and played very well," said Pollitt. "She has played varsity tennis for three years and her experience paid off today because she stayed patient, hit solid shots and played her game."

At No. 2 singles, DeSoto's Mary Price edged Red Devil freshman Kayla Lockhart by scores of 6-1, 6-4 and at No. 3 singles, Katie Colding knocked off Avon Park senior Quinterica Gordon, 6-4, 6-0.

"Kayla really surprised me with how well she played since it was her first match," said Pollitt. "She was playing a senior and was really nervous, but she hung in there and the second set was very close.

"Quinterica played tough the first set, but got discouraged in the second set and she just needs to be a little tougher mentally."

At No. 4 singles, DeSoto's Kayla Muse eased past Avon Park freshman Heather Bass, 6-1, 6-0 and Emma Buenrostro knocked off Red Devil freshman Lindsey McLeod, 6-1, 6-1.

"Heather's match was a lot closer than the score indicates because a lot of the games went to deuce," said the Avon Park coach. "Lindsey played a very athletic player and she learned a lot in her first match."

At No. 1 doubles, DeSoto's Price and Edelmann outlasted Carillo and Lockhart, 6-2, 6-4 and at No. 2 doubles, Colding and Buenrostro eased past Gordon and Bass in a pro set by a score of 8-2.

The win improved DeSoto to 2-0 on the season, while Avon Park is 0-1.

The Red Devils are back on the court on Thursday when they play Sebring at Sun 'N Lake Country Club.

"I'm very pleased with the girls," Pollitt said. "We're very young, but the girls are eager to learn and improve and that's all a coach can ask for."

In the boys match at SFCC, DeSoto senior Alex Edelmann won No. 1 singles over Avon Park's Josue Garcia, 6-3, 6-0, while Bulldog senior Mitesh Patel won No. 2 singles over Red Devil junior Mike Hill by scores of 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 3 singles, DeSoto senior Jake Plymale held off AP junior Ray Arango, 6-0, 6-0 and Bulldog senior Mitul Patel blanked Mitchell Guerndt at No. 4 singles by scores of 6-0, 6-0.

DeSoto's Krysthian Ramos won No. 5 singles by scores of 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 1 doubles, DeSoto's Plymale and Patel defeated Garcia and Arango, 6-3, 6-1 and at No. 2 doubles, Jose Billegas and Noel Estrada outlasted Red Devils Hill and Guerndt, 6-3, 4-6, 8-5.

The win improved the Bulldogs to 2-0.

"We have a veteran team with a lot of experience," said third-year DeSoto coach Damon Dorato. "Our top five players are all seniors with lots of varsity experience.

"We have a talented squad and if we stay focused, this could be a great season."

Despite the season-opening loss, Avon Park boys coach Lucky Dixon sees a great deal of potential in his youthful team.

"We're young and inexperienced and we're going to take our lumps this year," said Dixon. "But I'm proud of the guys because they played hard and never quit against a real good DeSoto team."

Avon Park hosts Sebring in a District 9 match at the SFCC courts on Thursday.

"I told the guys to stay positive and keep playing hard," said Dixon. "We just need match experience and we will improve every time we step on the court."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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