Ellie Johnson uses a towel hanging on a fence to balance a competitive fire that has fueled both healthy fist bumps after thrilling points and the angry racquet slams following disappointments.

Now, when Greensboro Day’s No. 1 girls tennis player feels the fire burning toward an emotional battle, she walks to the fence behind the baseline, wipes her face off with the towel and takes a few breaths to get herself in the right frame of mind.

The towel ritual has helped alleviate stress and spur confidence for the current senior who, entering Tuesday’s match against Calvary Day, is leading the Lady Bengals to a 9-1 team record. Johnson is 5-2 in singles matches and 6-1 as a member of the team’s top doubles pair.

“As a senior specifically, I’m just trying to have a fun season, not stress ove

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