McCook girls own Kearney with two dual wins

Junior Kori Uerling played two dramatic tie-breakers and teamed with senior Riley Hansen for one crucial win over the Class A Kearney Bearcats on Tuesday.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

KEARNEY, Neb. — A free shopping spree with Tuesday’s dual victory might mean the McCook tennis girls would still be in Kearney today.

Fortunately, coach Matt Wiemers and the Bison tennis girls could bring home one of their more satisfying dual victories Tuesday evening.

“To go to Kearney and come home with two wins is pretty dang special,” Wiemers declared as McCook swept Kearney Catholic 9-0 then edged Class A Kearney High 5-4 at Kearney’s Harmon Park. “You can always be sure both home teams will give you their best shot.”

Indeed, the Bearcats were clearly swiping at junior Kori Uerling and senior Riley Hansen during their No. 1 doubles match.

They even went overtime, playing 17 games until the Bison’s best duo delivered a 9-8 (9-7) victory.

“The tiebreaker win by Riley and Kori was awesome,” Wiemers confirmed. “The match was a battle from start to finish, but they got Kearney to play their style of tennis. I’m happy they pulled out a win after working so hard.”

McCook’s No. 3 team of seniors Kassidy Michaelis and Syd Stewart also delivered a victory to give McCook an early 2-1 advantage.

The Bison scored three more huge victories in singles matches.

Michaelis’ 19-0 record was under fire at No. 1 singles when Bearcat Olivia Flood caught her at 5-5.

No more than two games separated these top players until Michaelis decided it was winning time and took those last three games.

“Kassidy did a great job of staying positive. That was a huge win for her today,” Wiemers said.

Stewart and Hill both stampeded to 8-3 victories.

McCook nearly won two more singles matches.

Uerling pushed her No. 5 opponent through another 9-8 tiebreaker and Hansen dropped a narrow 8-6 decision at No. 3.

Not bad considering both had just battled through the marathon doubles match.

McCook conquered all drama against Kearney Catholic, scoring a pair of 8-6 wins.

“The highlight match was Megan (Hodgson) and Delaney (Jumps) winning a tightly-contested match (No. 2 doubles) avenging an earlier loss,” Wiemers observed. “They are getting close to being where we want them to be. Things will really start to roll for them.”

Stewart rolled to 16-0 vs. the Stars with her pair sweeps at No. 2 singles and teaming with Michaelis in No. 3 doubles.

Michaelis dropped only one game to K.C.

Now the Bison prepare for a rare home weekend featuring three duals on Friday and Saturday’s McCook Invite. More details Thursday in Thursday’s Gazette.

EARNEY, Neb. — Varsity results fromMcCook’s tennis triangular on Tuesday:

Bison 9,

K. Catholic 0

Singles

1 Kassidy Michaelis def A. Waggoner 8-1

2 Sydney Stewart def L. Trettel 8-0

3 Riley Hansen def E. Saadi 8-5

4 Megan Hodgson def K. Graham 8-1

5 Kori Uerling def B. Brandt 8-1

6 Macy Hill def S. Conner 8-6

Varsity Doubles

1 Riley Hansen/Kori Uerling def Saadi/Conner 8-5

2 Megan Hodgson/Delaney Jumps def Waggoner/Trettel 8-6

3 Kassidy Michaelis/Sydney Stewart def Graham/Ashton Huls 8-0

McCook 5,

Kearney 4

Varsity Singles

1 Kassidy Michaelis def O. Flood 8-5

2 Sydney Stewart def A. Boyd 8-3

3 Riley Hansen lost to M. Henning 8-6

4 Megan Hodgson lost to A. Chally 8-3

5 Kori Uerling lost to K. Sears 9-8 (7-5)

6 Macy Hill def N. Tenkorang 8-3

Varsity Doubles

1 Riley Hansen/Kori Uerling def Flood/Sears 9-8 (9-7)

2 Megan Hodgson/Delaney Jumps lost to Chally/Henning 8-3

3 Kassidy Michaelis/Sydney Stewart def Bella Engberg/Liz Young 8-2