Newman’s singles lineup tops Medford’s doubles sweep
MEDFORD GIRLS TENNIS
The Medford Raiders and Newman Catholic Cardinals played to their strengths Thursday, which resulted in Newman pulling out a 4-3 win in the Great Northern Conference girls tennis matchup at Oak Island Park.
While Medford swept the three doubles matches in straight sets, Newman took the four singles matchups and stayed unbeaten in GNC action at 4-0. Medford fell to 0-4 in league play.
The doubles sweep started with a 6-3, 6-1 win for the flight-one team of Sophie Brost and Lindsey Wildberg over Newman’s Gabby Hackett and Destiny Lo. The number-two team of Kelsey Jascor and Masaeda Krug beat Elizabeth Clancy and Calli Groth 6-3, 6-0. In flight three, Medford’s Myah Smith and Eryka Seidl took down Grace Martin and Ada Stenstrom 6-3, 6-2.
“Our doubles teams went onto the courts and played well from the beginning of the match and finished the second sets even stronger than the first,” Medford head coach Jake Bucki said.
Bucki said Newman’s single lineup is outstanding.
“At number-one, Becky Larrain should be in discussion for a seed at the state tournament and will have an opportunity to be on the podium,” he said. “Their number two through four players consistently put the ball deep in the court and force a lot of errors. I was proud how some of our singles players hit with their opponents. We just weren’t as consistent and didn’t have the weapons to put points away.”
Larrain, beat Raider Autumn Higgins 6-1, 6-0, but Bucki said Higgins’ play was a bright spot.
“Autumn has improved so much over the last 10 days, playing at the top spot,” Bucki said. “For her to rally with one of the top D2 players in the state is an accomplishment to her growth mindset and always looking to learn.”
Ava Sukanen swept Morgan Huegli 6-0, 6-0 in the number-two match, Natalie Townsend downed Makayla Motte 6-2, 6-0 at number-three and Reagan Herdrich beat Chloe Werner 6-1, 6-0 in flight four.
“Morgan had some incredibly long rallies with her opponent and is continuing to learn every day,” Bucki said of the flight-two match.
Medford is back at home today, Thursday, hosting another solid GNC opponent, Stevens Point Pacelli, at 4:30 p.m. The Raiders will be at Columbus Catholic Tuesday before hosting Phillips on Sept. 16.
