LANDRUM– D.J. Brown is building a foundation, but Landrum’s head tennis coach is not using bricks or blocks; he’s building a team from mostly young players.

On Monday, Aug. 22, the Cardinals’ number one player, Elizabeth Parker, handily defeated her Blue Ridge opponent, 6-2, 6-3, and the Cardinals took one doubles match, but the Fighting Tigers took a 5-2 win over the short-handed Cardinals.

“It was the first match of the season,” Brown noted. “For two players, it was their first high school match. It was a bit of a learning curve, and good experience. I was really impressed with what the girls did. They all gained that match experience they need . . . playing it point-by-point like you’re supposed to.”

Parker, a transfer student from Alabama, was a number five player last year. Since then, said Brown, “she has improved a whole lot.”

Short-handed the Cardinals might be, with just five players and six slots to fill, but Brown likes how easy to coach his players are, and the cohesiveness and camaraderie they display.

Sure, Brown would like another couple of players. With five, the Cardinals give up a match before the first serve, and are at a disadvantage in doubles matches.

However, he announced, “I think we’ll be okay this year.”

Thursday’s match slated against Greer was cancelled. On Tuesday, Aug. 30, the Cardinals visit St. Joseph’s, and on Sept. 1 they host Christ Church.