Raider Tennis Ties Tough Williamston Team

The Raider tennis team faced a very strong Williamston team on Tuesday night and the teams tied 4-4. Singles No. 1 — Eva Wilson, WILLIAMSTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Rebekah Leduma, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, 7-6 (5), 6-1

No. 2 — Sofia Mirate, WILLIAMSTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Ainsley Ludema, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, 6-1, 6-2

No. 3 — Kayla Weller, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, def . Kenzie Carson, WILLIAMSTON HIGH SCHOOL, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3)

No. 4 — Taylor Jenks, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, def . Lexi Miller, WILLIAMSTON HIGH SCHOOL, 6-2, 6-2 Doubles No. 1 — Rachel VanHouten-Riley Thelen, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, def. Maddie Ganton-Alana Kemler,WILLIAMSTON HIGH SCHOOL 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

No. 2 — Julia Savage-Samantha Weber, PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, def. Alexis Hereza-Eva Talberg,WILLIAMSTON HIGH SCHOOL 6-0, 6-2

No. 3 — Alyssa Hildago-Madeline Kugar, WILLIAMSTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Maura Lufkin-Novelle Matteson,PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL 3-6, 6-3, 6-3

No. 4 — Emily Hull-Evan Taber, WILLIAMSTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Danielle Curtiss-Emily Bigelow,PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL 7-5, 6-4

Coach Jim Niebling said, “Before the match, we knew there was a very good chance that every single flight against Williamston would be a dog fight, and our predictions held true. After over three hours of play, we split 4-4 with Williamston. Many of the flights are proving to be tough under pressure; we have won the majority of close sets and tiebreakers, which says a lot about the fight in these girls. Today gave us a lot to work towards if we want to defend our league title. The match of the day goes to Rachel VanHouten and Riley Thelen at 1 doubles. They dropped the 1st set and quickly regrouped, only dropping 3 games in the next 2 sets. That kind of turn around and teamwork should give those two a boost of confidence as they move forward.“