Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER Mifflin County's Alexis Allen serves the ball during a set Monday evening during a girls tennis match against Gettysburg at the Mifflin County Junior High School in Highland Park.

LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County girls tennis team kicked off their season on Monday night, with an impressive 4-1 win over Gettysburg.

Mifflin County girls seemed to keep the lead in most sets, making Gettysburg work overtime.

Maddy Clinard defeated Warrior Darishi Bnanu in single play, 2-0 (6-0, 6-0). Delaynie Newlen got the best of Winter Fernette, 2-0 (6-2, 6-2).

In doubles play, Alexis Allen and Gladrielle Leonard defeated Warriors Ava Fair and Grishma Yuas, 2-0 (6-3, 6-2). Ellie Hartzler and Bailey Bishop topped Warriors Addy Ley and Leah Henshelmen, 2-0 (6-4, 6-1).

Assistant coach Noah Fisher spoke on the team performance saying, “They played very well. We were very pleased with a couple of the girls that had to step up and fill the position of girls that were out or injured. We had some younger girls stepping in, playing varsity for the first time and everyone played clean and focused and did what they needed to do. It was a very good result for us to start the year.”

Gettysburg put up a good fight, making each point a long one.

“They are good at placing the ball where they needed to on the court where we weren’t standing,” Husky senior Emmah Miller explained. “They are good at playing out long points.” Sophomore Bailey Bishop added, “They have some really good players. We are a smaller team so all of our players get put on varsity their first year, rather than Gettysburg and how they try out for their team.”

The Huskies played well Monday, leaving it all on the court. Fisher explained that a confidence boost is going to help the team moving forward.

“It’s always nice to start the season 1-0. I think the younger girls coming up, the girls stepping up in the bigger roles, they definitely have a lot more confidence to move forward with in upcoming matches,” the Huskies coach noted.

The Husky girls are determined to stay focused all season, keep distractions to a minimum and play the best tennis that they can.

“A team goal for us, I would say, is that we are hoping everyone can get along and not have any drama,” Miller explained. “And that we can all build the foundations that we need to in order to get points and win matches.”

Moving forward, the Huskies plan to use mistakes made in the opener and change them for future matches, while also using the confidence gained to their advantage.

“We just need to take into account what we did wrong, some mistakes we made and how we can do better,” Bishop said.

Although the Husky girls have a long season ahead of them, they remain optimistic and excited for what’s in store.

“I’m really looking forward to playing and getting better,” Bishop explained.

Miller has some other goals in mind, saying, “I’m definitely looking forward to Mid-Penn’s final conference championship that lasts all day. It’s fun to play schools that we have played before and see the same girls that we have seen throughout the season.”

The MC girls face Central Dauphin East on Thursday at 4 p.m., which will be their first away match of the season.

GOLF

Lady Huskies compete at Centre Hills

STATE COLLEGE — Mifflin County girls golf competed Monday at Centre Hills Country Club Clark Nine Course.

MC golf only has two girls, which is not enough to have a full team, so the two girls compete individually. Lily Breon led MC on the day with a 114 which tied for 11th place overall. Emma Norman shot a 117 which was good for 13th overall. MC girls are back in action on Wednesday at Valley Green golf course, home of Red Land.