First Flight Women’s tennis team narrowly defeats Manteo

By Outer Banks Voice on September 17, 2023

Natalia Buchta of Manteo hits an overhead during her match on Thursday, Sept. 14. (Photos by Left Field Photography)

First Flight’s Chloe Rose directs a volley at the net dyring her match on Thursday, Sept. 14. (Photos by Left Field Photography)

Manteo tennis player Grace Garman swings a backhand crosscourt. (Photos by Left Field Photography)

Kai Stabley of First Flight follows through on a forehand Thursday, Sept. 14. (Photos by Left Field Photography)

 

By Mike Brisson | Left Field Photography

The First Flight High women’s tennis team crossed the Washington Baum bridge to Manteo on Thursday night Sept. 14, where strong wind gusts posed a considerable challenge to both sides. Ball tosses drifted during serves, while ground strokes floated long and fell short depending on which end of the court the players occupied.

In the head-to-head matchup of the top-ranked players for each team, Natalia Buchta of Manteo defeated Marie Kratz of First Flight 6-1, 6-2.  Number two ranked Olivia Lilliston of First Flight edged her counterpart, Manteo’s Cora Walker, 7-5, 6-4.  First Flight’s Chloe Rose overcame Manteo’s Jamie Holcomb 6-3, 6-2.

The Manteo duo of Jamie Hopkins and Amelia Maner won their doubles match against Callie Contristan and Elizabeth Quinn of First Flight. Positive results from the Buchta/Walker and Jamie Holcomb/Grace Garman fixtures helped Manteo rebound from the team’s earlier singles shortfalls.

First Flight dominated the singles competition, while Manteo swept the double matches, resulting in an overall 5-4 win for the Nighthawks.

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