Junction City ? The Free State girls tennis team defeated Junction City and Salina South and came away with a split against Manhattan, Thursday, to start its season 2-0-1.

The Firebirds fell behind early against Manhattan, losing both singles matches, but Caitlin and Ali Dodd and Natalie Myers and Andrea Chen swept doubles and set the precedent for the rest of the day.

The Dodd tandem at No. 1 doubles and Myers and Chen at No. 2 combined to go 6-0 overall, and lead FSHS to a 4-0 shutout of Junction City and 3-1 win over Salina South.

Rachel Walters rebounded from her 8-3 loss to Manhattan’s Cathy Lei to defeat Kira Ford, Junction City, and Rachel Rome, Salina South, both by the score of 8-2.

“Going 9-3 at our first varsity event of the season is a great start,” FSHS coach Oather Strawderman said. “While our loses occurred on the singles side of the event, I felt like Rachel and Berit (Conway) had some of the most hard fought matches of the day. Their determination bodes well for the season ahead.”

FSHS will play next on Tuesday at Lawrence High, which will feature LHS, Olathe South and Shawnee Mission South.

Free State 2, Manhattan 2

No. 1 singles: Cathy Lei, Manhattan, defeated Rachel Walters, FSHS, 8-3.

No. 2 singles: Kristen Fraley, Manhattan, defeated Berit Conway, FSHS, 8-2.

No. 1 doubles: Caitlin Dodd/Ali Dodd, FSHS, defeated Lee Joyce, Manhattan, 8-3.

No. 2 doubles: Natalie Myers/Andrea Chen, FSHS, defeated Miller/Robben, Manhattan, 8-4.

Free State 4, Junction City 0

No. 1 singles: Rachel Walters, FSHS, defeated Kira Ford, JC, 8-2.

No. 2 singles: Berit Conway, FSHS, defeated Nea Misa, JC, 8-4.

No. 1 doubles: Caitlin Dodd/Ali Dodd, FSHS, defeated Mahoney/Muhk, JC, 8-1.

No. 2 doubles: Natalie Myers/Andrea Chen, FSHS, defeated Stunkel/Perez, JC, 8-1.

Free State 3, Salina South 1

No. 1 singles: Rachel Walters, FSHS, defeated Rachel Rome, SS, 8-2.

No. 2 singles: Mikayla Talbott, SS, defeated Berit Conway, FSHS, 8-7 (9-7).

No. 1 doubles: Caitlin Dodd/Ali Dodd, FSHS, defeated McKenzie/Burleigh, SS, 8-2.

No. 2 doubles: Natalie Myers/Andrea Chen, FSHS, defeated Coleman/Wilcox, SS, 8-7 (7-3).

FSHS Record: 2-0-1. Next for FSHS: Tuesday vs. Lawrence High, SM South and Olathe South at LHS.