Tennis: Tigers come close but lose two matches

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Megan Stivers accounted for Farmington’s lone win in last Thursday’s 6-1 loss at Simley.

Stivers, a sophomore, used a strong finish to hold on for a 7-5, 4-6 (7-5) decision at No. 4 singles. The only other match to go to a third set was No. 3 singles, where junior Melanie Kappes lost 3-6, 6-2 (7-1).

”Melanie and Megan were their usual tenacious selves, taking their opponents to the third set tiebreaker,” Farmington coach Jack Olwell said. “Melanie’s opponent picked up her play significantly in the second set and tiebreaker.”

Olwell also credited No. 1 singles player Meghan Lindstrom and the No. 3 doubles team of ShyAnne Spurzem and Tasha Sinha with playing well in defeat.

The Tigers were on the verge of victory a day earlier at Bloomington Kennedy, but close losses at No. 1 doubles and No. 4 singles turned a potential 4-3 win into a 5-2 loss.

Both wins came in singles play where Maggie Rudorfer claimed her match, 6-1, 6-2, and Kappes earned a 6-0, 6-3 triumph.

”Maggie played her best match of the year and Melanie showed a lot of toughness in difficult conditions,” Olwell said.

Kennedy’s close victories came at the expense of Stivers (6-1, 3-6, 6-4) and the doubles tandem of Ally Midboe and Katie Burgess (6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (4)).

“I was particularly proud of the first doubles and fourth singles for their efforts,” Olwell said. “Both got thumped pretty good in the first sets after which most players just pack it in.”

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