Harlan County completed one of the best tennis seasons in school history by winning eight matches in regional competition this week at Corbin.
Eighth-grader Kalista Dunn advanced through two rounds before falling in the quarterfinals. The doubles team of Lindsay Hall and Abigail Gaw also advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated.
“I am very proud of our squads for the regular season we had and the postseason run we had. I think this is the most we’ve ever had make it out of the first round,” HCHS coach Caleb Bailey said. “To have so many players get a second match in this tournament is huge. We had three girls (Lindsay Hall/Abigail Gaw in doubles and Kalista Dunn in singles) qualify for the quarterfinals which is a big accomplishment in this region! Kalista is in eighth grade and this was very good experience for her. To make it to the quarters — this is the youngest player we’ve had make it that far.
“We fell short to a much advanced tennis program in Corbin, and I told my girls that is nothing to hang their heads about. The boys and girls fought and gave it their all all season. They each did all they could with the teams they lost to. I told them to use it as experience and build on it in the offseason to come back much stronger. We are going to miss our seniors very much. I’m proud of what they have each accomplished in their tennis career with HC. I’m very proud of our teams and for what they accomplished this year.”
Regional results for HCHS included:

Boys

Round of 32

Sawyer Cornett (HC) defeated M. Havelka (Lynn Camp) 6-1, 6-1

Josh Stewart (HC) was defeated by H. Payne (KC) 5-7, 2-6

Moore/Engle (HC) defeated Higgins/Brown (CC) 6-2, 6-2

Neely/Fee (HC) defeated Monday/Hacker (OBI) 6-2, 6-2

Round of 16

Sawyer Cornett (HC) is defeated by Alexander Smith (KC) 0-6, 0-6

Engle/Moore (HC) were defeated by Walton/Jones (NL) 0-6, 0-6

Neely/Fee (HC) were defeated by Parmon/Johnson (SL) 0-6, 2-6

Girls

Round of 32

Kaitlyn Daniels (HC) defeated A. Hinkle (CC) 1-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-6)

Kalista Dunn (HC) received a bye

Hall/Gaw (HC) defeat Barnhill/Partin (KC) 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-3)

Lewis/Ball (HC) defeat Jarvis/Adams (CC) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (12-10)

Round of 16

Kalista Dunn (HC) defeated A. Bowling (OBI) 6-0, 6-1

Kaitlyn Daniels (HC) was defeated by Sarah Smith (B) 0-6, 0-6

Hall/Gaw (HC) defeated Harvey/Whalen (W) 6-0, 6-0

Lewis/Ball (HC) were defeated by McArthur/Lundy (Corbin) 0-6, 1-6

Quarterfinals

Kalista Dunn (HC) was defeated by L. Jones (Corbin) 0-6, 0-6

Hall/Gaw (HC) were defeated by Morton/Morton (Corbin) 0-6, 6-1