The Mathews High School girls’ tennis team kicked off its season strong with an 8-1 win over Gloucester last Wednesday at Gloucester High School. With one returning player from last year’s top six varsity starters, this year’s young squad met the challenge against the 5A South team.

The Lady Devils secured their win right away, winning five of the six singles matches. Elizabeth Ransone played a well-fought match, but fell to Gloucester’s Olivia Edwards 4-8.  Kate van Emmerik defeated her opponent Hope Warren 8-2, and Morgan Johnson won her match against Kirby Lingerfeller, 8-0. Ashley Hudgins won her singles match against Aly Wilkinson 8-1. Also winning their singles matches were Alexis Wells, who defeated her opponent Jordan Simpson 8-3, as well as Rachel Stewart who beat Gloucester’s Rebecca Bish, 8-2. These matches were varsity debuts for Ransone, Johnson, Hudgins, Wells and Stewart.

The Mathews girls continued competing strongly in doubles, with...