SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Har-Ber opened its new tennis court in style on Tuesday.
The Har-Ber boys swept Springdale 9-0 in the first match played at the Wildcat Tennis Court. Springdale got some revenge by beating the Lady Wildcats 5-4 in girls action.
Prep Tennis
Boys
Springdale Har-Ber 9, Springdale High 0
Singles
Josh Benford, Har-Ber, def., Tony Kopek, Springdale, 8-5
Hayen Pennington, Har-Ber, def. Spencer George, Springdale, 8-2
Ryne Fletcher, Har-Ber, def. Kenny Kaious, Springdale, 8-0
Mitchell Berry, Har-Ber, def. Danny Chue, Springdale, 8-2
Kyle Shadowens, Har-Ber. vs. Angel Salgado, Springdale, 8-1
Anders Horne, Har-Ber vs. Jesus Carreon, Springdale
Doubles
Benford/Berry, Har-Ber def. Kopek/George, Springdale, 8-1
Pennington/Fletcher, Har-Ber def. Kaious/Chue, Springdale, 8-1
Shadowens/Horne def. Salgado/Lopez, 8-1
Ryan/Grafton, Har-Ber, def. Wood/Carreon, Springdale, 8-1
Girls
Springdale High 5, Springdale Har-Ber 4
Singles
Merscedez Ruiz, Springdale, def. Lauren Wiedekrehr, 8-0
Caitlyn Townsend, Springdale, def. Lauren Fischer, Har-Ber, 8-3
Emma Jaeger, Springdale, def. KaylaGaribaldi, 8-4
Allie Crossland, Springdale, def. Lily Matayo, Har-Ber, 8-5
Jessica Maynard, Har-Ber. def. Maggie Nguyen, 8-3
Korey Garibaldi, Har-Ber, def. Jamie Norsavanh, Springdale, 8-4
Doubles
Ruiz/Townsend, Springdale, def. Wiederkehr/Fischer 8-0
Perez/Crossland, Springdale, def. Garibaldi/Garibaldi, 8-4
Maynard/Matayo, Har-Ber, def. Scroggins/Norsavanh, Springdale, 8-2
Bloye/Moradel, Har-Ber, def. Vannunh, 8-6
The Wildcats opened their on-campus facility after playing in previous years at the Tyson Complex. The new tennis courts are located just west of the Har-Ber football stadium that is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 19, when the Wildcats host Conway.
"I love it," Har-Ber coach Rick Horne said of the new courts. "It has a country club feel. Practice times have increased and travel time has decreased. I'm very pleased and excited about the future for our program."
Har-Ber is expected to be improved in boys tennis this year with four of its top players returning. Springdale is regrouping after losing its No. 1 player, Corey Stewart, to graduation.
Har-Ber's top player, Josh Benford, won both his singles and doubles matches to lead the Wildcats. Benford defeated freshman Tony Kopek 8-5 before teaming with Mitchell Berry to win the doubles competition 8-1 over Kopek and Spencer George.
Benford and Hayden Pennington advanced to the state tournament as doubles partners last season, when they lost to Little Rock Central in the quarterfinals.
"I was hoping for strong doubles play and that's what I saw," Horne said. "Benford and Berry set the pace and Pennington and (Drew) Fletcher followed it up."
Springdale High controlled play in the girls division with Merscedez Ruiz leading the way with an 8-0 win in singles action. Ruiz and Caity Townsend also pitched an 8-0 shutout in No. 1 doubles.
"We knew the (Har-Ber) boys were going to be tough, but we told the girls we could win this match," Springdale coach Britt James said. "We've got four of our top players back and we won our top two matches in doubles and singles. That really set the tone for us tonight in this beautiful new facility."
Har-Ber will host Fort Smith Southside in conference play on Tuesday while Springdale plays at home against Rogers.
Sports on 08/27/2014