Tennis: Tigers go down fighting

Talk about it

The Farmington girls tennis team once again put up a fight, but lost a pair of home matches last Thursday and Friday.

Friday's match against Minnehaha Academy proved to be the Tigers' most tightly-contested match of the year as they picked up victories at No. 1 singles, No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles in a 4-3 setback. The 2-6, 7-6(10-7) doubles win by the team of Kristy Maguire and Danielle McCarthy was dubbed "the match of the year" by coach Jack Olwell.

"After having been bounced pretty badly in the first set, they regrouped and stayed even throughout the second until Minnehaha served for the match," Olwell said. "The Tigers saved three match points in the second set tiebreaker before closing out the match in the super tiebreaker. What was great about this match was the fact that they had played a discouraging first set and appeared to be out of it. They fought back with determination and nearly helped win the team match."

Also tightening up the team match were victories by Jaco Burke at No. 1 singles (6-4, 6-2) and Kelly Willenbring at No. 3 singles (6-3, 6-2).

"(Burke) played a smart counter punching match, using her superior court coverage to wear down her opponent. She is hitting more aggressively and closing out points at the net more effectively," Olwell said. "(Willenbring) played a great match with many long rallies. She used the entire court much better and had her opponent on a string."

The Tigers were close to pulling off wins in all four singles matches. Bre Thompson fell 2-6, 5-7 in a competitive match at No. 2 singles and Brooke Searles lost 6-7, 2-6 at No. 4 singles.

The Tigers weren't able to keep scores as close in a 7-0 Missota Conference loss to No. 6-ranked Red Wing Thursday afternoon.

Burke played a strong first set, but her 3-6, 0-6 loss turned out to be the closest match of the night.

"They played like a state tourney team," Olwell said. "They are seasoned veterans and well coached, well prepared for any opponents. Although we played very well, they were more talented and that made the difference."

Red Wing was especially tough in the doubles portion of the meet where it won by scores of 6-0, 6-1; 6-0, 6-0; and 6-1, 6-1.

"Their doubles was too good blanketing the net at every opportunity and forcing us into defensive shots on most occasions," Olwell said. "They kept their foot on the pedal until the end like good teams do."

Tags: sports, tennis, girls