The Bluejay girls tennis team waded into Valley play last week, and found they could at least hold their own.
They jumped all over D.C. Everest with a 6-1 triumph that began on Tuesday and closed out on Wednesday.
But Wausau West captured all the tightly-contested matches on the way to Thursday’s 5-2 win.
The Jays dominated three of the singles matches and swept doubles after extra effort in the Everest match.
“We had strong performances by our singles players, and pulled out some come-from-behind wins in three-set matches by #2 and #3 doubles,” MHS coach Janet Thompson said. “It was very encouraging to get that first conference win.”
Leah Johnson lost a 6-0, 6-0 match at #1 singles to state-qualifier Gabi Kitchell, but the Jays cruised with Annie DeBroux (6-2, 6-1), Chloe Krahn (6-0, 6-2) and Therese Renaud (6-2, 6-0).
The Jolene Ladewig/Morgan Wilde duo won 6-2, 6-2, while Karina Baacke/Mandy Vonderheid prevailed 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4. Morgan Thompson/Ashley Ollhoff took a 3-6, 6-4-6-3 win over two days after rain cause the delay.
West test
The Jays took two of the three one-sided matches, winning with Ladewig/Wilde (6-3, 6-1) and Baacke/Vonderheid (6-3, 6-4).
But West grabbed the rest, including all three three-set matches and another that went to a set tiebreak.
“The match at West was much closer than the 5-2 final score indicated,” Thompson said. “Two of the singles matches lasted three hours. Leah’s match at #1 was especially hard fought with many long rallies.
“Jolene and Morgan again played very well at #1 doubles. They are not afraid to attack and take charge of the points. This aggressive approach has helped them get their impressive record of 13-2 so far this season.”
Johnson dropped a 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 match and Renaud fell 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Laura Reimann/Thompson were toppled 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, and Krahn was defeated 7-6 (7-2), 6-3. DeBroux was beaten 6-3, 6-1.