The Fort Dale tennis team picked up their first loss in the past 47 matches when Monroe Academy broke the streak.

Coach Elizabeth Matthews said the loss was the first since she started coaching two years ago. She said the loss doesn’t affect their chances of going to state, which the girls have won for the past five years.

“We having a good year so far, girls and boys,” Matthews said. “They are still strong and should do well at state.”

Matthews said her tennis squad is still in a transition.

“The girls team lost two of the top five from last year and lost three the year before,” Matthews said.

This gave the opposing squad an advantage, Matthews said.

“Morgan has all of their top five returning,” Matthews said. “They have built-we are still rebuilding.”

Despite the loss, Matthews still has her eyes on state, and the chance to possibly play Monroe again.

“We intend to give them a run for their money,” Matthews said.

Fort Dale tennis is scheduled for a home match today and will resume playing after Spring Break.

Match results (Singles):

Caroline Sherrer (MA) def. Lauren Poole (FDA) 6-4, 6-2; Anne Matthews (FDA) def. Raechel Sherrer (MA) 6-1, 6-0; Laura Talton (MA) def. Taylor Autrey (FDA) 6-1, 6-2; Shelby Moore (MA) def. Kennedy Harris (FDA) 6-3, 6-0); Sarah Reeves (MA) def. Ashton Scott (FDA) 6-3, 6-3; Katerina Maresova (MA) def. Theresa Scott (FDA) 8-0; Lauren Lewis (FDA) def. Lindsey Kelley (MA) 8-1; Barrett Leverette (FDA) def. Katherine Armstrong (MA) 8-6; Morgan Logan Kelley (MA) def. Holland Steadham (FDA) 8-4.

Match Results (Doubles):

L. Poole and A. Matthews (FDA) def. Sherrer and Sherrer (MA); L. Talton and S. Moore (MA) def. T. Autrey and K. Harris (FDA); K. Armstrong and K. Maresova (MA) def. A. Scott and T. Scott (FDA); S. Reeves and L. Kelley (MA) def. L. Lewis and B. Leverette (FDA).

The FDA boys’ team has rebounded from an opening season 6-1 loss to Glenwood and has won three straight matches. The team swept through Prattville Christian Academy and Crenshaw Christian Academy in its match on March 8, winning 13 matches with just one loss. Sean McKeague, Matthew Butts, Matt Langford, Daniel Hall Autrey and Perry Singleton all won, with the lone setback an 8-3 loss by Autrey against CCA’s Sebastian DeBurchgraeve. In boys’ doubles, McKeague and Butts and Autrey and Langford all combined to win their respective matches.