Kings Mountain High’s women’s tennis team recently won its fifth Big South Conference championship in eight years.
The Lady Mountaineers’ record during that time was 70-6.
“I couldn’t be more proud of a group of young ladies, especially our seniors led by Hannah McCall, Katelyn Fleming, Hailey McCall and Railey Bolt,” said Coach Rick Henderson. Other members of the team were Katherine Fleming, Katie Murray, Melissa Brooks, Lillie Bolin and Khalia King.
In their opener, the Lady Mountaineers edged county rival Shelby 5-4 in a non-conference game. Winners were Fleming, Brooks and Murray in singles and Fleming/Bolt and Frye McSwain in doubles.
KM defeated Ashbrook 9-0. Winners were Hannah McCall, Katelyn Fleming, Katherine Frye, Hailey McCall, Katie Murray and Railey Bolt. Doubles winners were the McCalls, Fleming and Bolt and Frye and McSwain.
KM also dominated Hunter Huss 9-0 with wins by both McCalls, Fleming, Frye, Brooks and McSwain in singles and the McCalls, Fleming and Bolt and Frye and McSwain in doubles.
The Lady Mountaineers had their first tough BSC match, beating North Gaston 5-4. Winners were Frye, Hailey McCall, Murray and Brooks in singles and Fleming/Bolt and Frye/McSwain in doubles.
KM defeated Forestview 6-3with wins by Fleming, Frye, Hailey McCall, Murray and Bolt in singles and Fleming and Bolt and Brooks and Murray in doubles.
KM whipped South Point 7-2. After Hannah McCall lost, the Lady Mountaineers wrapped up the match with singles wins by Fleming, Frye,  Hailey McCall, Murray and Bolt. The McCalls lost their #1 doubles match but Fleming and Bolt and Brooks and Murray finished things up with victories.
The Lady Mountaineers defeated Cramer 8-1, sweeping after Hannah McCall lost at the #1 position. Winners were Fleming, Frye, McCall, Murray, and Bolt and doubles winners were the McCalls, Fleming and Bolt and Brooks and Murray.
In a head-to-head battle with county rival Crest to end the regular season, all of the KM ladies were in top form and won 9-0. Winners were Hannah and Hailey McCall, Fleming, Frye, Brooks and Bolt. Doubles winners were the McCalls, Fleming and Bolt and Brooks and Murray.
In the post-season BSC tournament, the ladies were represented by Frye and Murray. Frye was ousted in the first round by Lauren Lucas of South Point 9-0 while Murray fell to Jazmin Higley of Hunter Huss 8-3.
Hannah and Haley McCall and Fleming and Bolt represented the KM ladies in doubles and both teams advanced to the championship match. Hanna and Hailey took an early lead and won 6-2, 6-1 but both teams advanced to the Western Regionals in Hickory along with Fleming and Bolt. Unfortunately both teams fell in the first round.
“I was so proud of each of these four seniors who led our tennis team over the last four years by example on and off the courts,” said Coach Rick Henderson. “These continued their winning ways as they helped lead the KM women’ tennis program into the record books. Over the last eight years our women’s program has a conference record of 70-plus wins and eight losses.”
Participating on this year’s team were Hannah McCall, Katelyn Fleming, Katherine Fleming, Hailey McCall, Katie Murray, Melissa Brooks, Railey Bolt, Lillie Bolin and Khalia King.
Bolt, Brooks, Fleming, Frye and Hailey and Hannah McCall were selected to the All-Conference team.  Henderson was named Coach of the Year for the sixth time in the last nine seasons – 2014, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18 and ’22.