Sparta Sweeps Upperman in Rival Tennis Match

The rivalry between White County and Upperman rarely needs much to spark it. Friday night in Sparta, it didn’t matter that the setting was the tennis courts — the intensity felt just as familiar.

White County made sure the result was just as familiar, too.

The Warriorettes didn’t drop a single match in a 9-0 sweep, while the Warriors, even shorthanded, handled their side with an 8-1 win to keep an undefeated season intact. It was the kind of night that spoke less about records and more about control — from the top of the lineup to the final serve.

For the Warriorettes, the difference from the first meeting with Upperman was clear. What had been an 8-1 win earlier this season turned into a clean sweep this time around, thanks in part to sharper play at the net and a more complete approach across the court.

That tone was set early. Lorelei Bouldin, playing through an injury at the No. 1 spot, battled her way to an 8-4 win, setting the pace for everything that followed. From there, the lineup rolled. Katelyn Howard and Ainslee Goff each posted 8-0 shutouts, while Tegan Rittenberry and Sadie Benningfield followed with 8-1 wins. Even when the lineup shifted, the results didn’t — Claire Hawkins and Emmie Benningfield stepped into a varsity doubles role and turned in an 8-1 win without hesitation.

On the boys side, the challenge looked different before the first serve. White County took the court without three regular starters, a situation that could have shifted momentum quickly in a rivalry match.

Instead, it showed just how much depth the Warriors have built.

Ethan Wiles led the way with an 8-1 win, while Ben Brogden followed with an 8-0 shutout. Up and down the lineup, the Warriors kept the pressure on, turning what could have been a tight match into another step forward in an unbeaten run.

The most competitive moment of the night came from Jett Drouillard, who fell behind 0-5 early before fighting all the way back into the match. With both sides lining the fence as the match stretched on, Drouillard pushed it to the limit before falling 9-7 in one of the longest and most contested matches of the evening.

Even beyond the varsity lineup, there were signs of what’s ahead. Sixth-grader Micah Wiles picked up an 8-0 exhibition win, adding to a night that showed both present production and future potential.

With the wins, the Warriorettes move to 8-1 (3-0 in District) and the Warriors remain undefeated at 12-0 (5-0 in District). Both teams will look to carry this momentum into a massive away match against class 2A Cookeville High School on Monday, April 13th, at 3:30 PM.

Match Results
Warriorette Singles Scores:
Lorelei Bouldin (8-4)
Tegan Rittenberry (8-1)
Sadie Benningfield (8-1)
Olivia Flaminio (8-3)
Katelyn Howard (8-0)
Ainslee Goff (8-0)

Warrior Singles Scores:
Ethan Wiles (8-1)
Ben Brogden (8-0)
Jagger Osborne (8-4)
Seth Smith (8-2)
Jett Drouillard (7-9)
Gabe Sweeney (8-4)

Exhibition: Micah Wiles (8-0)

Doubles Scores

Warriorettes:
Bouldin/S. Benningfield (8-2)
Rittenberry/Flaminio (8-2)
E. Benningfield/Hawkins (8-1)

Warriors:
E. Wiles/Brogden (8-3)
Osborne/Smith (8-2)
Drouillard/Sweeney (8-2)

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