TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Wisconsin Valley Conference Meet
The Merrill Girls Tennis Team gave it their best at the Wisconsin Valley Conference Meet on Thursday, Sept. 30.
“Merrill had an up and down day emotionally today at the Wisconsin Valley conference meet,” Girls Varsity Tennis Coach Brad Barton said. “Amelia Skoviera and Tessa Wheat never fought this hard, so I am extremely pleased with them today. In number one doubles play today, they first lost 6-3, 6-0 to an up and coming Wisconsin Rapids team. Then they beat DC Everest 6-2, 6-3. Then came the battle in 80 degree weather, plus the fatigue of playing 7 sets today against Wausau East. They lost 6-4, 6-7(6), 7-6(0). They overcame match points but ultimately East had their number. Merrill beat them in 3 sets earlier in the year.”
“The younger girls got to see what it takes to get to their level,” he added.
“In number two Doubles action, Lydia Burrows and Sarah Rell went 0-2 on the day, but they lifted their game up also,” Barton said. “In number three Doubles action, Mariah Jacoby and Chloe Belant went 0-2 also, but again they played well.”
“In 1 Singles, Lauren Belsky went 0-2. In 2 Singles, Lauren Cohrs went 1-2. In 3 Singles, Courtney Schneider went 1-2. In 4 Singles, Madisin Jacobs went 0-2,” Barton recapped.
“Lauren Belsky showed much resolve as she received some bad news before her second match,” he added. “She carried on, though, with a lot of heart.”
Subsectionals at Wausau East
Varsity Tennis Subsectionals were held Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Wausau East High School, and the play was fierce.
One of Merrill’s Varsity Doubles Teams, Amelia Skoviera and Tessa Wheat, advanced to Sectional play by beating Marshfield’s #1 Doubles Team of Abigail Forst and Loryn Jakobi 6-2, 6-0.
“I have never seen a Merrill team play like that before,” Coach Barton said. “I thought I was at the State Tournament. That is how dominant we played.:
“We were the 4 seed and Marshfield was the 5 seed.”
“Mariah Jacoby and Chloe Belant were seated at 3 Doubles and beat Wisconsin Rapids’ Sierra Dillingham and Aleigh Weight 6-1, 6-1 and then advanced to play the 1 seed Marshfield,” Barton said. “They lost to them 6-4, 6-0. While playing Rapids, Merrill was the 8 seed and Rapids the 9. To play a 6-4 set against a 1 seed is truly remarkable.”
“Lydia Burrows and Sarah Rell played 2 Doubles with a 9 seed. They lost to Marshfield 6-0, 6-0,” he continued.
“In Singles Angela Hinner played 1, Lauren Belsky played 2, Lauren Cohrs played 3, and Courtney Schneider played 4,” Barton said. “Angela lost to Marshfield 6-2, 6-0. Lauren Belsky lost to Rhinelander 6-0, 6-1. Lauren Cohrs lost to Rhinelander 6-0, 6-0. Courtney Schneider lost to Stevens Point 6-0, 6-0. It was tough for our Singles, as Angela got a 9 seed and the other three Singles players got a 7 seed.”
Sectionals will be held Thursday, Oct. 6.