By Cort Reynolds
KENTON - The Ada tennis team climbed over the .500 mark for the first time this season with a 3-2 win at Hardin County rival Kenton under overcast skies Tuesday evening.

The Bulldogs are now 8-7 after registering their sixth win in eight matches. "We won by our usual strong singles play," said Ada head coach Dexter Woods.

Senior Miranda Wills improved to 10-4-1 this season with a convincing two-set win at first singles over Wildcat senior Cameron Zickafoose.

"Miranda got off the courts first by fending off big-serving Cameron with her ever-improving attack and volley game," said coach Woods.

Junior lefty Dexter Woods III also cruised to a straight-sets victory over senior Rylee Messenger at second singles. Woods rebounded strongly from a slow 2-3 start in the first set to increase his season mark to 13-2.

"Dexter re-set his game after early over-hitting errors against steady Rylee to win the last 10 games," said Woods.

Bulldog Brendan Jameson also triumphed handily at third singles against junior Noah Ketchum.

"Brendan clinched his match and the team match by finishing off his opponent in the face of threatening weather," reported Woods.

The Wildcats captured the all-seniors first doubles match, as well as the second doubles bout featuring three sophomores and Ada freshman Ashlyn Madison.

"Kenton continued its strong doubles play on the year by defeating both Ada doubles teams," Woods noted.

In junior varsity exhibition action, Ada sophomore Geddes Klingler prepared for singles in sectionals by playing two Kenton players. He lost to his first opponent 6-4, and then fell to a fresh second opponent by a 6-0 score.

"Brendan Kah and Connor Daugherty played a rousing JV doubles match, coming back from a 2-6 deficit before losing 6-8 in a pro set," Woods added.

Individual match results:
1st singles: Miranda Wills (Ada) defeated Cameron Zickafoose (K) 6-1, 6-0

2nd singles: Dexter Woods (Ada) def. Rylee Messenger (K) 6-3, 6-0    

3rd singles: Brendan Jameson (Ada) def. Noah Ketcham (K) 6-2, 6-2

1st doubles: Lucas Hites/Ethan Wirbel (K) def. Cole Anspaugh/Colton Biederman (Ada)     6-3, 6-1

2nd doubles: Seth Manns/Mitchell Stephens (K) def. Amelia Alexander/Ashlyn Madison (Ada) 6-0, 6-2

Ada seeks its third win in as many days when it hosts the final home match of the spring Wednesday, May 5 vs. Defiance Ayersville. The match is slated to start at 4:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs are 2-4 at home this season, having won two of their last three matches on the refurbished purple and gold park courts.

The Northern Buckeye Tennis League conference meet is Friday at Bryan. In case of rain, the league event will move indoors to Defiance College.