Just because one of the Sollars sisters graduated in June doesn’t mean their presence with Orange women’s tennis is in the rear view mirror.
Erin Sollars teamed with her younger sister Shannon to comprise Orange’s top doubles team the past two years. After Erin turned the tassel in June, she looked for a way to remain with the program while she attended classes at Alamance Community College.
So she’s now an assistant coach.
“Her scheuedle allows her to help,” said Orange women’s tennis coach Justin Webb. “She’s been great. We’ve got 21 players out there. I’m projecting a really high number. It’s going to be hard for me to coach these girls. Erin is one of the most decorated players to ever come through Orange High. So a lot of girls enjoy working with her.”
Just one dual match into the year and it’s already been an unpredictable season for Orange. On Monday, the Lady Panthers hosted its season-opening match against Eno River Academy–at Walker Tennis Complex in Mebane.
The courts at Orange High went through a repaving project at the conclusion of the men’s season last May. Unfortunately, the project is behind schedule. It appears that the courts won’t be available until after Labor Day.
It has forced Webb to hold practices in Mebane. There were also workouts scheduled at the Fairview courts in Hillsborough, but both were canceled as a result of Tropical Storm Debbie.
The humor of Eno River and Orange, schools separated by barely two miles, going all the way to Mebane to play a match wasn’t lost on the participants.
Sollars started her senior year with wins at #1 singles and doubles as the Panthers rolled past the Bobcats 9-0 on Monday. Sollars won her singles match 6-4, 6-2. Later, she teamed with junior Casey Robinson to win 8-5.
Orange freshman Kalynn Mason made her debut in the tightest match of the day. Eno River’s Chiara Menolascino extended Mason to a third set, leading to a 10-point tiebreaker. Mason captured her first varsity win 6-2, 4-6, 10-3.
Sophomore Ellie Wilson won at #3 singles 6-4, 6-4. Junior Molly Kruse, a three-sport athlete who also swims and plays soccer, captured her match at #4 singles 6-3, 6-2. Oakley Gaddy defeated Lyla York 6-1, 6-0. Robinson completed a singles sweep for Orange with a 6-0, 6-1 win.
Mason and Wilson won at #1 doubles 8-3.
Adelyn Alvis, who was an All-Central Conference performer in track and field, teamed with Gaddy to win at #3 doubles 8-0.
Orange will face Durham School of the Arts on Tuesday.