Streaks Sweep Past Dragons

Despite windy conditions, the Sebring boys and girls tennis teams managed to keep their focus in sweeping Lake Placid in high school tennis on Monday afternoon.

Junior Kelsie Johnson led the way for the Blue Streak girls, who knocked off the Green Dragons by a score of 7-0 at the Sun 'N Lake Country Club courts.

Johnson won No. 1 singles over Lake Placid junior Jessica Landers by a score of 6-1, 6-1, while freshman Kaley Walter held off Green Dragon Jalitza Serrano at No. 2 singles, 6-2, 6-4.

"Kelsie has really come on strong," said Sebring veteran coach Janie Hollinger. "She played number three for us last year, but has stepped up her game and done a great job against the other team's best player.

"Kaley may be a freshman, but she is playing at a very high level and is only going to get better."

At No. 3 singles, Blue Streak senior Alyssa Kariofyllis eased past Ana Heredi, 6-0, 6-1, Kelsey Tucker cruised past Johneesia Sholtz at No. 4 singles, 6-0, 6-1 and Sebring's Shana Bassett held off Green Dragon Wendy Oseguera at No. 5 singles, 6-0, 6-3.

At No. 1 doubles, Johnson and Walter teamed up to beat Landers and Tara Henderson, 8-2, while Tucker and Bassett combined to defeat Sierra Weaver and Weslee Davis at No. 2 doubles, 8-4.

The Class 2A-District 9 win improved the Blue Streaks to 10-1.

"It was very windy, but the girls adapted well to the conditions," Hollinger said. "We practice in the wind so it doesn't seem to be a stumbling block to them."

Sebring has three matches remaining in the regular season with the district tournament at Hardee in three weeks.

"We're a young team and the girls have exceeded my expectations," said Hollinger. "We're just taking it one match at a time and who knows what we'll be able to accomplish."

Sebring travels to district rival Braden River for a key match on Thursday.

BOYS: Sebring 7, Lake Placid 0

The Blue Streak boys kept rolling with a 7-0 win over the Green Dragons.

Junior Mike Reed won No. 1 singles against Lake Placid's Martin Oseguera, 6-2, 6-1, while Blue Streak Nikhil Raghuveera won No. 2 singles over Andy Olivares, 6-2, 6-1.

Sebring's Vihang Nikhate eased past Vinny McNamee at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 6-0, while Brian Miller cruised past Green Dragon Michael Sweat at No. 4 singles, 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 5 singles Andrew Midence held off Lake Placid freshman Jacob Underwood, 6-2, 7-5.

At No. 1 doubles, Chris Horta and Reed combined to defeat Oseguera and Olivares, 8-2, while Miller and Raghuveera knocked off Sweat and McNamee at No. 2 doubles by a score of 8-4.

The loss dropped Lake Placid to 3-5 on the season, while the win improved the Blue Streaks to 11-1

"It was a little rainy and windy at first, but it cleared up as the match went on,' said Sebring coach Jack Holt. "I'm pleased with the win because we were missing a couple of players and we had to move some of our guys up to higher positions.

"They did a great job of playing under pressure and this speaks volumes about the quality of our depth."

The Blue Streaks are at Braden River on Thursday for a key district match.

"We haven't played Braden River yet," Holt said. "But I hear they have a pretty good squad. "We're looking forward to going down there and it should be a heck of a match."

Lake Placid hosts Avon Park on Thursday.