Jeremy Ratliff
Editor
Following a busy week of WVC competition, the Bluejay varsity tennis squad emerged with an impressive 3-1 record; topping Wisconsin Rapids (6-1) on Thursday and edging Marshfield for the second time this season on Tuesday (4-3). The ladies fell to Wausau-West last Friday, Oct.9 (1-6).
Thursday, Oct. 15-Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln (6-1):
Singles-
1. Alexandra Johnson(Merrill) beat Rachel Bredl 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
2. Audrey Ladewig(Merrill) lost to Kelly Alekna 3-6, 8-7(6), 6-3
3. Erin Murray(Merrill) beat Taylor Westland 6-4, 7-5
4. Angela Hinner(Merrill) beat Corinne Sazama 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
Doubles-
1. Amelia Skoviera/Tessa Wheat(Merrill) beat Faith Mertes/Teagann Bondioli 6-2, 6-1
2. Autumn Reissmann/Lauren Cohrs(Merrill) beat Ory Arts/Emily Tokarski 7-5, 6-2
3. Zoey Dreikosen/Kendra Petrowski(Merrill) beat Megan Henriksen/Aleigh Weight 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
“Merrill had their best win of the year,” comments head coach Brad Barton.
“This is the second time the Bluejays beat Rapids. The first time Merrill won 4-3. This was by far the most complete Merrill has looked from top to bottom in the last five years. Alexandra Johnson had her best win of her high school career. Rachel Bredl beat her 6-2, 6-1 on September 25. Erin Murray and Angela Hinner had very impressive wins.”
“This is the second time the Bluejays beat Rapids. The first time Merrill won 4-3. This was by far the most complete Merrill has looked from top to bottom in the last five years. Alexandra Johnson had her best win of her high school career. Rachel Bredl beat her 6-2, 6-1 on September 25. Erin Murray and Angela Hinner had very impressive wins.”
Tuesday, Oct. 13 @ Marshfield (4-3):
Singles-
1. Alexandra Johnson(Merrill) beat Sydney Newmier 6-2, 6-2
2. Audrey Ladewig(Merrill) beat Brooklyn Dillinger 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
3. Erin Murray(Merrill) beat Sonia Dissanayake 1-6, 7-6(3), 6-3
4. Angela Hinner(Merrill) lost to Sandra Costa 6-2, 6-0
Doubles-
1. Amelia Skoviera/Tessa Wheat(Merrill) beat Nichole Specht 6-4, 6-1
2. Autumn Reissmann/Lauren Cohrs(Merrill) lost to Abagail Forst/Emma Tucker 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-4
3. Zoey Dreikosen/Kendra Petrowski(Merrill) lost to Loryn Jakobi/Isabel Paape 6-1, 6-2
“Merrill beat Marshfield for a second time this year with the exact same scoring,” Barton adds.
“Merrill’s 1-3 singles all had impressive wins. Merrill’s only win in doubles came at number one doubles. Erin Murray and Audrey Ladewig had to both dig real deep to pull out their 3 set wins. Merrill now has a 4-2 record this year. I could not be more proud of this team. It is the best team I have coached in the last five years. We are just so balanced on the both the singles and doubles sides. In years past we were either stronger in singles or doubles.”
Friday, Oct.9 Wausau-West (1-6):
Singles-
1. Alexandra Johnson (Merrill) lost to Lexi Kluth 6-1, 6-0
2. Audrey Ladewig (Merrill) lost to Quin Babiarz 6-0, 6-1
3. Erin Murray (Merrill) lost to Anika Eder 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
4. Lacey Frisch (Merrill) lost to Stella Harder 6-0, 6-0
Doubles-
1. Amelia Skoviera/Tessa Wheat (Merrill) lost to Ruby Edmundson/Andreanna Wilke 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-5
2. Autumn Reissmann/Lauren Cohrs (Merrill) lost to Mollie Lemke/AshleyZoborowski 7-5, 6-0
3. Zoey Dreikosen/Kendra Petrowski (Merrill) beat Kaydee Renner/Kateland Sillars 6-2, 6-4
“This was Merrill’s second time playing Wausau West this year in dual competition. The first time we lost 7-0. This time we lost 6-1, although it could have easily been 4-3. Erin Murray and Zoey Dreikosen/Kendra Petrowski played their very best. Erin was actually playing 1/2 of Wausau West’s number one doubles team. Wausau West sat out their top player (Natasha Bailey) as she qualified for the state tournament. Merrill continues with an impressive 3-2 record this year (both losses to Wausau West).”