By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
Tuesday afternoon the Merrill tennis team traveled to Wausau West for a conference match against the Warriors. Merrill would improve from their battle with West from last year, however would still fall a little short as they lost 5-2.
In singles play Natasha Bailey, Wausau West, defeated Alexandra Johnson 6-0, 6-0; Lilia Teske of West would top Merrills’ Anna Skoviera 6-0, 6-0; Mallory Names of West beat Kamille Ament 6-2, 6-1; Amelia Skoviera of Merrill would get the only singles win, beating Anika Eder 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.
It was a similar story in doubles play as Samantha Mellberg-Kylie Rennie, Wausau West, topped Sierra Humphrey-Olivia Wheat 6-4, 6-6 (2), 7-5; Anna Rydeski-Erin Murray, of Merrill, defeated Shaelyn Talley-Emma Rauman 6-4, 6-2; Madeleine Bizjak-Katie Young from West beat Molly Rydeski-Emma Jaeger 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2.
Merrill head coach Laura Clabots gave her thoughts on the match saying, “Sierra Humphrey and Olivia Wheat played a long well-fought 3-set match that lasted three hours. Although they lost, they never lost confidence they could pull out the win at number one doubles. We improved against Wausau West this year, as we lost to West 6-1 last year. We were in the match this year until the very end. It is nice to see that we are competing well with the big Valley Conference teams this year. Our number two doubles team of Erin Murray and Anna Rydeski looked impressive today with a 6-4, 6-2 victory.”
The Merrill tennis team will compete again next Tuesday, as they play host to Pacelli High School.