Fort Dale tennis coach Johnny Mac Brown has been anxious over the way his girls tennis team has been playing lately.

That may seem odd since his team is unbeaten so far this season, but Brown knows that his team has a huge target on its back since it is the defending Class AAA Alabama Independent School Association champs.

But that anxiety seems to have subsided after this week.

&#8220They do have that target on their back, and I was worried that they had this attitude that ‘why should we work since we won the title last year,'” Brown said. &#8220That has changed this week. I've been real pleased with our practices and attitudes. I think right now our best competition has been in practice.”

Fort Dale's girls team easily cruised to another win Tuesday by shutting out Crenshaw Christian 7-0 at the Beeland Park Tennis Complex.

The Eagles' only challenge on the day came at No. 2 doubles, where Kayla Butts and Elizabeth Dunklin held off Crenshaw Christian's Lakara Beck and Danielle Welch, 8-4.

The No. 1 duo of Janie Mullins and Whitney Jacks eased by the Cougar tandem of Kristen Carver and Mary Margaret Williams, 8-0.

In singles action, no Fort Dale player lost more than 2 games to complete the sweep of Crenshaw Christian.

Mullins eased past Carver in No. 1 singles 6-0, 6-1, while Jacks shut out Williams 6-0, 6-0.

Dunklin topped Welch 6-2, 6-0 at No. 4 singles, while Renee Scott and Butts picked up victories by default.

No. 1 boys singles player Andrew Jones came away with an easy win over Crenshaw Christian's Michael Jackson in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.

Jackson was the only boys competitor for Crenshaw Christian.

Fort Dale returned to action Friday afternoon at Troy University to face Springwood and Lakeside Academy. Results were not available

by presstime.

The Eagles will then play host to Cottage Hill on Tuesday at the Beeland Park Tennis Complex before traveling to Lee-Scott on Thursday.

Fort Dale held off Lee-Scott last year to win the state championship, so Brown knows his girls will face their toughest test next Thursday.

&#8220They will be gunning for us,” he said.

The Lee-Scott boys team is the defending Class AAA champs with its entire team returning from last season.

&#8220They will certainly be a test for our boys,” Brown said.