Netters ready for BRC competition

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The Raider girls’ tennis team posted a record of 4-3 in two tournaments last week to improve to 11-6 heading into the start of Big Rivers Conference play this week.

The Raiders went 2-2 at the two-day Green Bay Southwest Tournament last Monday and Tuesday, August 22-23, defeating Beaver Dam 6-1 and Plymouth, Minn. 5-2 while losing to Middleton, 7-0, and Pulaski, 4-3.

Last Saturday at the Menomonie Invite, the Raiders defeated Wausau West and New Richmond by identical 6-1 scores while losing to Winona, 4-3.

“We had a couple of nice wins and a couple of tough losses,” head coach Dave Dahl said. “We played well against Plymouth, Wausau West and New Richmond in picking up solid wins. Plymouth had plans to sweep us in singles, but Alex Johnson and Kelsie Hines altered those plans.

“I know the girls would like a second chance against Pulaski and Winona,” he added. “We created chances for ourselves to win those matches, but just didn’t capitalize when the opportunity was there.”

Dahl said the most exciting win of the week came from Racheal Knoke in her match against Wausau West.

“She was behind in her match 4-6, 1-4 and came storming back to win a second set tiebreaker and then just steamrolled her opponent in the match tiebreaker 10-0,” he said.

Bailey Knight led the team with six wins last week while Casey Fall, Jenny Fassbinder and Sydney Squires all won five times.

“It was a big boost to get Morgan Van Allen back as she posted wins in four of the six matches she played,” Dahl added.

So far this season, Fall and Fassbinder have put together a record of 14-3 at No. 1 doubles.

After opening BRC play this past Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Eau Claire Memorial, the Raiders will host Menomonie on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 4 p.m. before traveling to River Falls next Tuesday, Sept. 6, also at 4 p.m.

Tags: sports, tennis, raiders, prep