The Lord Botetourt girls opened the tennis season with an 8-1 loss to traditional state power Blacksburg at Hollins University last week. Freshmen Alyssa Walker and Gwyneth Farrar secured the only win at third doubles.
“I’m proud of how our ladies carried themselves and fought even while down,” said coach Sam Belcher. “They served well and played aggressively at the net.”
Belcher returns for his second season as the girls’ coach. The Cavaliers are off for spring break this week but return the trip to Blacksburg next Tuesday.
“My wife and I are excited to return to coaching the girls varsity tennis team this season,” said Belcher. “Last year we had incredible success winning the district, being runner-up in the region, and ultimately losing in the quarterfinals of the state tournament. The best part about last year though was watching these teenage girls grow into being the people they were made to be.
“We care about the wins and losses but we care far more about helping these girls grow and develop into amazing human beings. Our hopes for this year are to maintain the team culture we set last year and get some wins too.”
The boys tennis team will return from spring break with a match at Magna Vista next Tuesday, April 2.
