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Bedford Today
By the People, for the People
Brown County tops nervous Stars 4-1 in season opener
BNL's Emma Conover wins at No. 1 singles, but Eagles sweep doubles matches
Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:36am
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A fragmented, cubist-inspired illustration captures the intensity and competitive spirit of a high school girls tennis match.Bedford TodayIn the season debut, the Bedford North Lawrence girls tennis team dropped a 4-1 decision to Brown County, with the Stars showing some first-match nerves. BNL senior Emma Conover won her No. 1 singles match in three sets, but the Eagles prevailed in the lower singles and swept the doubles matches.
Why it matters
This early-season matchup between two local rivals provides an early barometer for both teams as they look to build momentum heading into the heart of their schedules. The Stars are breaking in a new coach and several new varsity players, so this match offered a chance to see where they stand against a strong opponent.
The details
In singles play, Conover rallied from a first-set loss to defeat Allison Blee 5-7, 7-5, 10-3 at No. 1. But Brown County won the lower singles, with Chloe Sawyer edging Emma Voris 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) at No. 2 and Elayna Stanley topping Claire Edwards 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3. In doubles, the Eagles swept both matches, with Chloe Poling and Olivia Sawyer defeating Jada Key and Bailey Fisher 6-1, 7-5 at No. 1, and Michaela Smith and Ava Kinney cruising 6-0, 6-0 over Abi Bruner and Forum Patel at No. 2.
- The match took place on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
The players
Emma Conover
A senior at Bedford North Lawrence High School who won her No. 1 singles match in three sets.
Allison Blee
A player for Brown County who lost to Conover at No. 1 singles.
Chloe Sawyer
A Brown County player who won the No. 2 singles match.
Elayna Stanley
A Brown County player who won the No. 3 singles match.
Jennifer Edwards
The first-year head coach of the Bedford North Lawrence girls tennis team.
What they’re saying
“'As a team, we definitely felt some first-match nerves. But the girls settled in, found their rhythm, and got to work. We had some long, hard-fought battles, but ultimately came up short.'”
— Jennifer Edwards, BNL head coach
“'I am really proud of our senior for pulling out a win after a long, drawn-out match. Emma showed incredible leadership, staying composed and fighting for every single point. I'm grateful our younger players had the chance to watch her compete and see what it looks like to never give up.'”
— Jennifer Edwards, BNL head coach
“'Despite the scores not fully reflecting how close each matchup was, the team showed heart, resilience, and strong growth for our first outing of the season. I'm proud of this group and excited for what's ahead.'”
— Jennifer Edwards, BNL head coach
What’s next
The Stars will host Barr-Reeve on Monday, April 7, 2026 as they look to bounce back from the season-opening loss.
The takeaway
This match highlighted the inexperience of the new-look Bedford North Lawrence team, but also showed the potential for growth as the season progresses. The Stars will need to overcome early nerves and continue developing their younger players, but the performance of senior Emma Conover provides a strong foundation to build upon.
