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Bison tennis girls grill up big wins on 'Senior Day'
McCOOK, Neb. — Even words like babies and sitting blend in perfectly to the blazing victory grill known as McCook High girls’ tennis again this spring.
Especially since watching his 10 seniors win yet again on Wednesday ignited some cool memories for coach Matt Wiemers.
“I remember when the Samway sisters brought Megan (Hodgson) to practice when they were baby sitting,” Wiemers said about his 13-1 No. 1 singles player, who won 8-1 over Ogallala at this “Seniors Day” dual.
“Elsa (Wilcox) and Olivia (Koetter) were both from tennis families as was Lexi (Hauxwell),” the Bison tennis icon added. “But I remember walking across the parking lot to the Y and asking (Joslyn) Hammond ‘hey, why don’t you try tennis?’. She was in junior high at the time.”
Now a Bison junior, Hammond’s blazing along at 14-1 with another conquest on Wednesday.
The marveling continued whether Wiemers was discussing No. 5 singles player Emily Kjendal or even first-year JV players like Kaylie Puckett and Harley Cribbs.
Believe it or not, the common thread goes beyond scores or wins.
“They all just have a great attitude,” Wiemers said. “They enjoy playing, which is the great thing about tennis. We can get a lot of players out on the courts.”
“Girls like Kaylie and Harley had never played until this year, but they are doing a nice job,” he observed.
Hayden Johnson, Risha Patel and Kora Keslin captured more JV victories.
The Bison went 13-0 through their JV matches vs. Ogallala on Wednesday.
They’re not far behind the 15-0 record put together from new No. 2 doubles partners Hauxwell and Kjendal.
Remember, only Hodgson returned with much varsity experience since 2020 tennis was completely erased thanks to COVID-19.
Yet the Bison are blending into strong combinations whether it’s doubles or forming the singles lineup.
Hauxwell and Kjendal captured an 8-1 victory over the Indians Wednesday.
However...
“These girls have shown the ability to win some tough matches which have even needed tie-breakers,” Wiemers said. “That’s what I like is their ability to stay focused and always finish strong.”
Hauxwell battled through the closest singles match on Wednesday, winning 8-4.
No. 1 Hodgson and No. 2 Hammond made rather quick work of what Wiemers considered to be good Ogallala singles players.
Wilcox remained a No. 3 singles unbeaten and didn’t lose a single game.
“Elsa is probably our most consistent player,” the coach proclaimed.
The quick decisions allowed to enjoy those Seniors Day grilled burgers and other treats from Bison parents.
Ogallala’s players also enjoyed the post-match cuisine before departing to outrun any potential nasty weather Wednesday night.
“They have a good team and good coaches,” Wiemers said. “Good kids. I’m glad our girls got to spend some time with them.”
However, the Bison know tougher challenges are still ahead while preparing for their annual state tournament trip to Lincoln late next month.
Potential Class B contender Grand Island Central Catholic awaits at a Kearney Catholic tournament in early May.Plus other stronger opponents should test the Bison as they look more eastward across Nebraska.
“A lot of the west teams are young. Some like Gering are really improved, but McCook was expected to dominate and so far we have,” the coach concluded. “In the next few weeks, we will start really refining fundamentals>”McCook 9,
Ogallala 0
No. 1 singles: Megan Hodgson, MHS, won 8-1 over J. Curtis;
No. 2 singles: Joslyn Hammond, MHS, won 8-1 over J. Coggins
No. 3 singles: Elsa Wilcox, MHS, won 8-0 over J. Krab;
No. 4 singles: Olivia Koetter, MHS, won 8-0 over T. Brown;
No. 5 singles: Lexi Hauxwell, MHS, won 8-4 over E. VanBorkum;
No. 6 singles: Emily Kjendal, MHS, won 8-0 over G. Mendoza.
No. 1 doubles: Wilcox/Koetter, MHS, won 8-3 over Curtis/Coggins
No. 2 doubles: Hauxwell/Kjendal, MHS, won 8-1 over Mendoza/VanBorkum; No. 3 doubles: Hodgson/Hammond, MHS, won 8-1 over Brown/Krab.
Junior Varsity Doubles
McCook 13, Ogallala 0
Richa Patel/Hayden Johnson def L. Swanson/G. Marhenke 6-0
Emily Alberts/Carley Peters def L. Swanson/G. Marhenke 6-1
Laci Stewart/Jaci Meyers def L. Swanson/G. Marhenke 6-2
Avery Broomfield/Harper Stevens def L. Swanson/G. Marhenke 6-2
Rowen Wiemers/Joy Rippen def L. Franklin/A. Glazebrook 6-0
Abbie Johnson/Kendra Rogers def L. Franklin/A. Glazebrook 6-5
Kora Kesslin/Amalia Almanza def L. Franklin/A. Glazebrook 6-1
Grace Hoyt/Paige Wolcott def R. Anderson/G. Knoke 6-1
Karragan Shaw/Krysta Henning def R. Anderson/G. Knoke 6-3
Kaylie Puckett/Olivia Eschliman def R. Anderson/G. Knoke 6-2
Kaedin Waugh/Lexi Quint def C. Svanda/M. Covel 6-3
Chayse Johnson/Ariana Pierson def C. Svanda/M. Covel 6-0
Kimberly Johnson/Liliana Harris def C. Svanda/M. Covel 6-5