Elizabethton's tennis team proved that spring break can be beneficial. Both ladies and gents nonchalantly disposed of Johnson County in conference play Tuesday.
With strong performances from an array of players, the Cyclones hope to continue improving in wait of their important match with Unicoi next Monday.
"We just hope this confidence rolls over to Monday," said a satisfied Julie Botts.
The ladies dominated the Lady Longhorns. Elizabethton literally won every set.
Again, Jessica Brumit didn't allow a single point in single's play. Haley Thacker bested Elizabeth Adams 8-1, and Johnson County only mustered a single point among the remaining four single's players.
Bree Blevins clenched the match for the Lady Cyclones in order when she won her set 8-1.
"It was a well-played match. The entire team played efficiently. It was nice getting a win in before Monday," stated Brumit.
"I thought we had a good match today, considering we just got back from spring break. Everybody got back in the groove. We had some close men's matches that challenged us. The girls took care of business again," explained Coach Curtis Brumit.
While the boys did win their match, Elizabethton didn't solidify their match win until the final doubles match.
Johnson County's top two players, Carlton Tugman and Timmy Bellamy, beat Elijah Shingleton and Andy Bowers to establish some early momentum. Unfortunately for the Longhorn faithful, Elizabethton's remaining singles representatives dominated their opposition.
Tugman and Bellamy paired to out match Shingleton and Ryan Pinkerman 8-2 in doubles play.
A discouraged Pinkerman summed up the performance in three words -- "we got worked."
Matt Fair and Ward Tanner concreted the win when they easily beat Dakota Swiney and Andrew Cregg 8-1.
Johnson County did have their more impressive moments, and their top-seeded players put on respectable showings.
Elizabethton's Tyler Lee and Zack Peters both beat their opponents without allowing a point.
