Raider Tennis Downs Redwings 6-2

The Portland Raider girls tennis team had their first dual math of the season on Wednesday when the faced the Redwings of St. Johns. Portland came away with a 6-2 victory.

Coach Jim Niebling said after the match, “We opened our dual match season today with a solid win over St. Johns. They are much improved from last year, having only graduated three seniors and bringing in a terrific freshman to play #1 singles. So far, our young team has responded really well to our practices and are making great strides forward. I credit the strong leadership they are getting from our Captains!”

Niebling added, “The match of the day was at #3 singles, Kayla Weller, who made her singles debut with a big come-from-behind win. After dropping the first set, 6-2, Kayla was a bit rattled and consequently played impatiently. But early in the second set she composed herself and her consistency followed, giving her the means to win the second two sets. It was a great learning experience for her.”

Singles No. 1 — Teagan Sanders, ST. JOHNS HIGH SCHOOL, def . Ainsley Ludema, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3

No. 2 — McKenna Thelen, ST. JOHNS HIGH SCHOOL, def . Sydney Schneider, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, 6-1, 6-4

No. 3 — Kayla Weller, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, def . Tory Hill, ST. JOHNS HIGH SCHOOL, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3

No. 4 — Taylor Jenks, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, def . Jada Palmer, ST. JOHNS HIGH SCHOOL, 6-0, 6-0; Doubles No. 1 — Rachel VanHouten-Rebekah Leduma, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, def. Jaden Hafner-Cassie Trayer,ST. JOHNS HIGH SCHOOL 6-3, 6-2

No. 2 — Samantha Weber-Riley Thelen, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, def. Rachel Olson-Julia Grams,ST. JOHNS HIGH SCHOOL 6-0, 6-2

No. 3 — Julia Savage-Maura Lufkin, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, def. Kaitlin Doerr-Paige Remenar,ST. JOHNS HIGH SCHOOL 6-2, 6-2

No. 4 — Novelle Matteson-Emily Bigelow, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, def. Katelynn Kemp-Brooklyn Graham,ST. JOHNS HIGH SCHOOL 6-2, 6-1