Raiders one match short of a 2-0 start in GNC tennis

MEDFORD GIRLS TENNIS

The Medford Raiders fell one set short of a complete sweep Tuesday while notching their first Great Northern Conference win of the girls tennis season.

The Raiders blew by the host Phillips Loggers 6-1 to improve to 1-1 in league play and 3-2 overall in dual meets. Medford swept all four singles matches in straight sets and took two of the three doubles matches.

The only spot the Raiders fell short was in flight-one doubles and, in that one, Raiders Madison Clarkson and Hannah Dahl had an early lead, taking the opening set 6-4. Phillips’ veteran duo of Rachel Fusak and Brooke Stein regrouped and took the next two sets 6-2, 6-2 to take the match.

Indya Mann and Grace Holmes won their second straight GNC match at number- two doubles, downing Arianna Riley and Ivy Schlub 6-4, 6-4. At number-three, Marcy Razink and Makenna Tlusty teamed up for the first time this season and came away 6-1, 6-3 winners over Kinley Fischer and Saige Stein.

In Medford’s singles sweep, Masaeda Krug was a 6-1, 6-3 winner over Isabelle Teeters in flight one, improving her early- season record to 2-1. Audrey Ruesch had little trouble with Ariel Henney at number-two, winning 6-0, 6-2.

Jaylin Machon won a close first set and then completed a 7-5, 6-1 win over Kaitlyn Matthewson in flight three. She is 3-1 so far while playing in various singles flights. Natalie Preuss improved to 3-0 in flight-four matches, shutting out Amanda Angelo 6-0, 6-0.

Medford is at the two-day, eight-team Altoona Invitational this weekend that includes teams like the host Railroaders, Eau Claire North, Antigo, West Salem and Osceola.

Medford’s first home meet of the season is set for Tuesday. It is a non-conference match with D.C. Everest. The Raiders are at Newman Catholic for GNC play on Aug. 31.

Pacelli 4, Medford 3

Medford came up one win short in its Great Northern Conference opener on Thursday, falling 4-3 at Stevens Point Pacelli.

The Raiders went for the doubles sweep to try to secure the team win, but Pacelli’s top team of Julie Milbauer and Anabelle Arnold was up for the challenge, knocking off Medford’s top two returning players this year, Krug and Ruesch 6-1, 6-1.

Medford took the other two doubles flights. Holmes and Mann were straightset winners over Caitlyn Yarbrough and Reagan Abel 6-0, 6-3 in the number-two match and Clarkson and Dahl swept Isla Wojtalewicz and Caydence Armstrong 6-0, 6-0 at number-three.

Preuss was Medford’s singles winner. She won a tight first set and then closed out a 7-5, 6-1 win over Samantha Schoepke in flight four.

Pacelli’s returning state qualifier, junior Natalie Cooper, swept Machon 6-0, 6-0 in flight one, Lauren Loesl swept Razink 6-0, 6-0 in flight two and Morgan Matowitz beat Raider Rachel Daniels 6-1, 6-0 in flight three.