By Nick Beversdorf
Reporter
Merrill traveled to Wausau East on Thursday to face off against fellow valley conference opponents in a tournament. Things did not develop well for Merrill, as they ultimately placed fifth out of the seven teams with 29 total points (18 dual, 11 team).
Lincoln (WI Rapids), Marshfield and Wausau East were the primary opponents for much of the time Merrill competed.
In the singles, Katie Nelson defeated Megan Peterson of Wausau West, 6-4, 6-1 and then defeated Megan Ninneann of DC Everest 7-5, 6-3. Nelson then fell to Sami Miles of East, 6-1, 6-0.
Alex Zueger of Lincoln defeated Merrill’s Lea Beckman 6-6(10), 6-3, 7-10, but Lea came back and defeated Kassaundra Fellner of Everest, 6-1, 6-0. Lea then fell to Dara Stichert of Marshfield, 6-1, 6-3.
Rachel Rell of Merrill defeated Jebina Deradas of Marshfield 6-1, 6-1 but then lost to Zoe Gilmaster of Lincoln, 6-2, 6-1. Sierra Severt of Merrill lost to both Leah Blaskowski of East (6-1, 6-1) and Casey Jennings of Lincoln (6-0, 6-2).
For the doubles, Libby Mcdonald & Julia Reising of East defeated Cate Murray & Allison Winter-Reed, 7-5, 6-4. Cate & Allison also fell to Mckenzie Wentland & Kaitlyn Hess of Lincoln, 6-0, 6-1 but then they defeated Taylor Brzecinski & Cassidy Gennerman of Everest, 6-2, 6-1.
Olivia Wheat & Sierra Humphrey of Merrill defeated Miriam Peters & Taylor Moermond of Everest, 6-1, 6-1, but then fell to Tylene Dierickx & Alexis Means, 6-1. 6-2. They then lost to Mia Iwinski & McCartney Sullivan of Lincoln, 6-4, 6-2.
Lastly, Casie McAllister & Hailey Schult of Merrill defeated Kalia Moua & Anjulee Moua of Everest, 6-2, 6-0 and then defeated Kacy Wesolowski & Olivia Devadas of Marshfield 6-4, 6-2 (loss), 6-4. The two then fell to Paige Vruwink & Ellie Schuerman of Lincoln, 6-0, 6-2.
Merrill tennis will head to sectionals at Stevens Point on Monday, 9:30 a.m.