HCHS tennis teams close season in regional tourney
The Harlan County High School tennis team includes, from left, front row: Amber Lewis, Lindsay Hall, Laura Ball, Abigail Gas and Jaya Wilhelmy; back row: coach Angie Lewis, Chandler Smith, Braden Engle, Tony Reynolds, Steven Fee, Cody Clayborn, Calan Neely, Sawyer Cornett, coach Trevor Prewitt and coach Caleb Bailey.
May 20, 2021
The Harlan County High School tennis team completed one of the best seasons in school history with a pair of first-round victories in the regional tennis tournament at Whitley County High School.
Sawyer Cornett won in the first round, then lost in the second, as did the doubles team of Cody Clayborn and Tony Reynolds.
The Harlan County girls team finished the season with a record of 12-4, the best in school history. The boys finished with a record of 6-10.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team,” Harlan County coach Caleb Bailey said. “The season we had this year was unlike any other with many wins and quality wins over big name schools. Being able to play with the pandemic stopping tennis last year was one thing in itself. We are a young team with a lot of talent. We had chances to make it farther in the tournament but inexperience hurt us in many ways. I expect a deeper run in years to come and opportunities to make the KHSAA state tournament. I hate we are losing Cody Clayborn and Tony Reynolds. Those two were the leaders of our team. I’m proud of them nonetheless and thankful I had the opportunity to coach them.
“Our coaching staff is the best. Trevor Prewitt and Angie Lewis mean the world to me and I am thankful to have had them assist us with this season and help me in many ways. I can’t wait to get back on the courts this offseason and get this young squad back to work.”
Round of 32
Boys
Singles
Steven Fee (HC) was defeated by Kaleb Abner (KC) 0-6, 0-6
Sawyer Cornett (HC) defeated Alex Coleman (Williamsburg) 6-1, 6-4
Doubles
Cody Clayborn/Tony Reynolds (HC) defeated Monday/Gritton (OBI) 6-1, 6-1
Calan Neely/Braden Engle was defeated by Hobbs/Bowling (Middlesboro) 3-6, 4-6
Girls
Singles
Jaya Wilhelmy (HC) was defeated by Lorin Sasser (NL) 1-6, 1-6.
Round of 16
Boys
Singles
Sawyer Cornett (HC) was defeated by Nate Hill (Corbin) 0-6, 0-6
Doubles
Clayborn/Reynolds (HC) was defeated by Harbach/Walton (NL) 1-6, 1-6
Girls
Singles
Laura Ball (HC) was defeated by Olivia McCarthur (Corbin) 1-6, 1-6
Doubles
Lindsay Hall/Abigail Gaw (HC) was defeated by Kemper/Wilson (South Laurel) 6-1, 4-6, 8-10
