Lady Horses keep fighting

Oct. 15—The ’23 season for the Lady Horses on the tennis court has been incredibly successful. Despite numerous obstacles, such as scheduling changes and extreme weather conditions, Clinton persevered and finished the regular season with a commendable 10-4 record overall, and only two losses in conference play, giving them a 6-2 standing.

Ginger Rivenbark, the head coach of the team, discussed the challenges they encountered this season, particularly the weather. She mentioned that the team had to constantly adapt to the hot and humid conditions and unexpected rain showers, which resulted in frequent changes to their schedule. Despite these setbacks, the team remained resilient and always prepared for any situation.

Fortunately, the players were able to mitigate these challenges by devoting their summer to honing their skills on the court through tennis clinics. Rivenbark emphasized the importance of playing against advanced teams, as it exposed their weaknesses and areas for improvement. Additionally, several players attended a tennis clinic where they had the opportunity to compete against talented players from across North Carolina.

In doubles play, cohesion on the court is crucial. Rivenbark shared that the team focused on drills and skills during their summer workouts, enabling them to create a supportive environment for success. They also made sure to practice good skills repeatedly, understanding that practicing bad habits would not yield positive results.

The Lady Dark Horses of Clinton High School recently participated in the SAC-6 Conference Tournament at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke on Oct 9 and 10. Despite entering the tournament in 2nd place, they performed admirably. Ainsley Parker and Lensey Cabral secured third place in doubles play, while Kensley Puryear and Kensely Lamb placed third and fourth respectively. Puryear’s outstanding performance throughout the season resulted in her receiving the SAC-6 Player of the Year award.

These four talented individuals will move on to compete at the 2A Mideast Regionals in Wake Forest, North Carolina on Friday, Oct 20. Rivenbark expressed her thoughts on the conference tournament, acknowledging the challenges posed by the Fairmont team. She emphasized the lessons learned from facing tough opponents and how they would utilize this knowledge to enhance their play in future competitions.

Rivenbark praised her team’s dedication and growth, highlighting the immense effort they put into summer workouts, clinics, practices, and matches. As the season nears its end, she reflected on the team’s progress and individual growth both on and off the court. However, she also emphasized that the season isn’t over yet, and they still have more tennis to play.

On Monday, Oct 16, the team will learn the Dual Teams 2A Bracket, which will determine their next opponent and the location of their match on Wednesday. Rivenbark encouraged her players to maintain their positive attitudes, relax, have fun, and take it one ball at a time.

You can contact Anthony McConnaughey at [email protected] or on Twitter @SportsSampson