Jeremy Ratliff
Editor
The crossroads at Wausau-East and Minocqua proved to be a bit rocky for the 2019 Bluejay varsity tennis squad this past weekend. In the wake of a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of the Lumberjacks Friday afternoon, on Saturday the ladies hit the road for Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua; taking part in the Lakeland Quadrangular meet.
While the Jays found their share of struggles Saturday, they went toe-to-toe with Medford (3-4) and left Thunderbird country on a high note; taking down the home court T-Birds 4-3 in the final match of the day.
“Anna Rydeski and Alex Johnson each had their break-out match of the year against Medford,” comments assistant coach Brad Barton. “They played a tough Medford team that went to state last year and beat them after losing the first set. This is the first time they have played together so dropping the first set is not a big surprise. The Medford dual was the best match Merrill has played against any team this year. Autumn Reissmann and Audrey Ladewig gutted out a tough win at 2 doubles. Do not be fooled by Kamille’s (Ament) loss at 2 singles either, Medford’s #2 singles player was just as good as their #1 singles,” he adds.
“Kamille normally plays at #3 singles and had to move up to #2 singles today. Tessa (Wheat) is looking better and better every day. She fights for every point. After playing Medford first, we played against Ashland. Ashland switched their best player from #1 singles to #1 doubles, so Anna Rydeski and Alex Johnson had to step up to the challenge which I felt they did. They were just over-matched. Amelia Skoviera had the lead for the most of the time in the first set against Ashland but eventually fell 7-5 and 6-2.
“Finally we finished up playing at about 5:10 pm against Lakeland. This round went to Angela Hinner by far. She was not feeling the best today but she got the clinching point of the day that resulted in Merrill beating Lakeland 4-3. This is only Merrill’s third win against a team this year (record is 3-8), but the last two years have been hard. Two years ago we lost 8 seniors and last year we lost 5 seniors. This year we will only be losing 3 seniors, so we are going in the right direction.”
Despite the ladies’ rough go of it at East on Friday, Barton found reason for optimism.
“I was really happy with Autumn’s play today, especially with her second set. She was very determined and took her level of play to a new level. Kamille recorded only her second loss of the year, but still has a team best record of 6-2. It is not surprising as she has perfect form on most of her shots. Add that with a “never die” mentality and thus the good record.”
Merrill Bluejay Varsity Tennis Results @ Wausau-East
Singles: No. 1 – Savannah Carroll, WE, def. Amelia Skoviera, MHS, 6-0, 6-0, No. 2 – Claire Peterson, WE, def. Kamille Ament, MHS, 6-0, 6-0, No. 3 – Lola Berumen, WE def. Ashlynn Semling, MHS, 6-0, 6-0, No. 4 – Lillie Bauman, WE def. Tessa Wheat, MHS, 6-0, 6-1.
Doubles: No. 1 – Zoe Briquelet Miller – Lea Ratanawong, WE def. Anna Rydeski – Erin Murray, MHS, 6-0, 6-1, No. 2 – Elizabeth Boulanger – Morgan Mchugh, WE def. Autumn Reissmann – Audrey Ladewig, MHS, 6-1, 6-3, No. 3 – Katie Martell – Brittany Khammanivong, WE def. Angela Hinner – Zoey Dreikosen, MHS, 6-0, 6-1.
Merrill Bluejay Varsity Tennis Results @ Lakeland Quadrangular Meet:
(Medford, 3-4 L; Ashland, 1-6 L; Lakeland, 4-3 W)
Singles: No. 1 – Amelia Skoviera, MHS def. Kailee Mann, MED, 6-1, 6-3, No. 2 – Brooke Sommer, MED def. Kamille Ament, MHS, 7-6 (2), 0-6, 10-1 No. 3 – Maddy Spencer, MED def. Ashlynn Semling, MHS, 7-5, 6-2, No. 4 – Sophie Brost, MED def. Tessa Wheat, MHS, 7-5, 7-6 (4) No. 1 – Kieren Nortunen, ASH def. Amelia Skoviera, MHS, 7-5, 6-2, No. 2 – Sophia Root, ASH def. Kamille Ament, MHS, 6-0, 6-4, No. 3 – Ayla Westlund, ASH def. Ashlynn Semling, MHS, 6-2, 6-2, No. 4 – Tessa Wheat, MHS def. Nadia Perales, ASH, 6-4, 6-0, No. 1 – Amelia Skoviera, MHS def. Kiah Gauthier, LKD, 6-2, 6-1, No. 2 – Lorraine Hammes, LKD def. Kamille Ament, MHS, 7-5, 6-4, No. 3 – Maria Gironella, LKD def. Ashlynn Semling, MHS, 6-7 (6), 6-1, 10-5 No. 4 – Emma Rose, LKD def. Tessa Wheat, MHS by forfeit.
Doubles: No. 1 – Anna Rydeski – Alexandra Johnson, MHS def. Lauryn Strick – Elaine Schumacher, MED, 2-6, 7-6 (6), 11-9 No. 2 – Autumn Reissmann – Audrey Ladewig, MHS def. Cassidy Balciar – Kianna Haenel, MED, 6-3, 7-6 (3) No. 3 – Kelsey Jascor – Jordaan Clark, MED def. Katelyn Hahn – Angela Hinner, MHS, 6-0, 6-1 No. 1 – Taylor Vyskocil. – Abby Davidson, ASH def. Anna Rydeski – Alexandra Johnson, MHS, 6-1, 6-2 No. 2 – Mara Pierce – Kalli Mikkonen, ASH def. Autumn Reissmann – Audrey Ladewig, MHS, 6-0, 6-1, No. 3 – Tegan Mcfarlane – Isabelle Rasmussen, ASH def. Katelyn Hahn – Angela Hinner, MHS, 7-6 (6), 5-7, 10-6 No. 1 – Anna Rydeski – Alexandra Johnson, MHS def. Vivian Trapp – Hayley Fieck, LKD, 6-1, 6-4, No. 2 – Autumn Reissmann – Audrey Ladewig, MHS def. Anna Maulson – Britta Salquist, LKD, 6-2, 6-4, No. 3 – Katelyn Hahn – Angela Hinner, MHS def. Brenna Fricke – Phoebe Wirtz, LKD, 6-3, 3-6, 10-7.