SPRING HILL – On Thursday afternoon, the Central Bears (2-9) blanked the Springstead Eagles (0-13) across singles and doubles matches. The Bears took the matchup 7-0 at Delta Woods Park thanks to strong outings from Senior Amelie Howell and company.
Having lost four seniors due to graduation, this year has seen the Bears in rebuilding mode, and the returning players have been elevated into leadership roles. Howell and Sophomore Brianna Sims, the only two athletes to carry over from last season’s squad have been moved to the one and two positions respectively.
“Those were pretty big jumps to make,” Bears Tennis Head Coach Penny Gressick. “So, they might not have won a lot of matches this year, but they have definitely progressed as the year has gone by. I am pretty proud of them overall.”
Coach Penny Gressick also enlisted the help of a trio of exchange students from Spain, France, and Switzerland to fill out her ranks. Add in a couple of freshmen, and that has essentially been the coach’s crew throughout the season.
Though the season has had its ups and downs, the roster makeup worked with aplomb on Thursday. The Bears snagged their second win of the season and the second shutout victory over the Eagles in the last month.
Coach Penny acknowledged her squad’s youth and noted that while “this is not the year that we are probably going to have a lot of wins,” her squad will improve “as the years progress.”
“There is nowhere to go but up,” Eagles Head Coach Kim Palmer similarly noted of her own squad’s challenges. “Their future is promising for next year […] “we are still trying to figure out what girls are playing, what girls aren’t […] but nothing that we can’t overcome next year.”
Singles:
(1) Amelia Howell (Senior, Central) Defeated Sophia Fralick (Sophomore, Springstead) 6-0, 6-0
(2) Brianna Sims (Sophomore, Central) Defeated Isabella Vanstratt (Junior, Springstead) 6-1, 6-0
(3) Callie White (Freshman, Central) Defeated Brookelynn Erby (Sophomore, Springstead) 6-4, 6-4
(4) Kelis Gentry Defeated Gabriella Sulikowski (Freshman, Springstead) 6-0, 6-0
(5) Nora Ahedo Martinez (Junior, Central) Defeated Shekinah Margaret Demata (Freshman, Springstead) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles:
(1) Amelia Howell and Brianna Sims Defeated Sophia Fralick and Isabella Vanstratt 4-0, 4-0
(2) Callie White and Kelis Gentry (Freshman, Central) Defeated Brookelynn Erby and Gabriella Sulikowski 4-1, 4-1
After the matchup, Howell noted that she was proud of the team and felt like the progression of several of Central’s players has been “amazing.” The senior feels that the Navy and Silver are “the most improved team in the district.”
Coach Palmer added that she has been pleased with her senior-laden boys’ team and hopes to send a doubles group to the state finals this year. “My boys’ team has been nothing but fun this year,” she said.
The Bears (Class 2A Region R4 District D7) and Eagles (Class 3A District 7) will now turn their attention to districts which start on April 15. Both teams will battle it out and will hope to play well enough to advance to day two. Central will travel to Crystal River and Springstead will play at New Port Richey in this win or go home scenario on Wednesday.
