FOR ANTIGO TIMES

Today the Antigo Girls tennis team traveled to SPASH to compete at the sub-sectional tournament. Avery Nicholson went into the #1 singles bracket as the 3 seed which put her up against Rhinelander’s Annika Johnson for the third time this season. The first set was not looking good for A. Nicholson, as Johnson brought more of a challenge than in previous facings. After falling in the first set, A. Nicholson decided that she wasn’t ready for her season to be over; she came back with a sharp laser focus and even shaper serves and ground strokes. The win (2-6, 6-3, 6-0) allowed her to advance to Wednesday’s sub sectional at Menards’ Tennis Center in Eau Claire. #2 Singles player, Ellie Kelly, faced SPASH’s Estella Roerig. E. Kelly played some great tennis; she took chances at the net and played out some long points, but ultimately, the win went to SPASH. Margo Kelly also started her day against SPASH at #3 singles. M. Kelly faced an evenly matched Abby Erwin. Both girls challenged one another, creating some strong and competitive tennis. M. Kelly stayed strong as she maneuvered the court with confidence for a win. The last thing standing in between M. Kelly and a ticket to sectionals was Rhinelander’s #1 seeded Kaylee Pontell. The match started in Pontell’s favor, but Kelly dug deep and took charge on the court for an exciting win and another advanced player. Brechlyn Flannery’s first match at #4 singles was SPASH’s Tatum Thielman. Flannery’s nerves gave her a slow start, but she settled in and closed the gap in the first set. Flannery offered up strong backhands and bullet serves, but a minor knee injury made the second set even tougher. After an impressive first season on varsity, Flannery, unfortunately, ended up losing.

Jenna Lenzner and Great Parsons went up against Wausau East’s Lea Ratanawang and Zoe Briquelet-Miller at #1 doubles. Lenzner reacted to her opponents attacks and Parsons hustled for every shot, but it wasn’t enough to overpower the disciplined and effective #2 seeded team. Our #2 doubles team, Lily Nicholson and Julia Westen, faced off against Wisconsin Rapids’ London Kubisiak and Taylor Wentland. L. Nicholson and Westen brought their usual energy and strong communication for a clear win and a chance to keep playing. Next up for Antigo’s #2 doubles team was SPASH’s Allison Rust and Leah Olsen. L. Nicholson and Westen did their best, but SPASH’s #1 seeded duo was aggressive and left no opportunity for a comeback. Finally, Ellie Stank and Ellie Preboski were able to take the courts for their first match against Wausau West’s Brenna Holtz and Rachel Hartman. Stank and Preboski learned that their toughest opponent in this match would be the wind. Antigo’s #3 doubles duo adjusted their strategy and quickly pulled ahead of Wausau West in the tournament play. Stank and Preboski continued their momentum against Wausau East’s Katie Martell and Brittany Khammanivong. Wausau East’s team was strong at the net, and Antigo had a hard time keeping it from them in the first set; however, they managed to squeak by in the first set. In the second set, Stank and Preboski covered the court by closing the alley and stayed consistent , so the second set win that solidified the win was imminent. Antigo’s win at #3 doubles meant a chance to move on to sectional tournament play on Wednesday.

Four Antigo girls earned the chance to continue their season at sectionals at Menards Tennis Center in Eau Claire: Avery Nicholson at #1 singles, Margo Kelly at #3 singles, and Elli Stank/Ellie Preboski at #3 doubles.