Superior/Alberton tennis place second overall
SUPERIOR – It’s getting down to the nitty-gritty as only one more meet awaits the Superior/Alberton tennis team.
The Mountain Cats headed to Missoula on May 16 to face three other teams in the Southwest B-C girl’s divisional meet.
Superior/Alberton finished the day in second with 13 overall points as Loyola took the division title.
Earlier in the season, Superior/Alberton Head Coach Rick Berreth predicted that Loyola would be the team to beat in the conference.
The weather was warm and the sun hammered down on the court making it an excellent day for tennis.
In the first round of singles, Geneva Plakke of Superior/Alberton defeated Tara Dunkerson of Phillipsburg, 6-4, 7-6; Hailie Bahm of Superior/Alberton defeated Josie Ray of Phillipsburg 6-0, 6-0; Lianna Sweet of Valley Christian defeated the Mountain Cat’s Alise Ruthford 6-0, 6-2 and Kaileigh Moser from Valley Christian defeated Brittney White of Superior/Alberton 6-1, 6-0.
In the quarterfinals, Jocelyn Caldwell of Loyola defeated Plakke 6-0, 6-0; Bahm defeated Breanna Brickey from Darby 6-3, 6-3 and Olivia Round of Loyola defeated Sweet, 6-0, 1-6, 6-2.
The doubles quarterfinals pitted the Mountain Cats’ Heather Kelly and Sophia Williams together to defeat the team of Wells/Bostwick from Loyola 6-0, 6-0 and Anna Pence and Kyra Brabender of Phillipsburg defeated the Superior/Alberton team of Mackenzie Spence and Sammi Francis 6-1, 6-0.
The weather proved to be a nonfactor as it was dry and sunny. The team was shut down due to rain several times during the season, but didn’t appear to have a significant impact on future wins and losses.
Bahm will head to divisionals and has been one of the best singles players in the conference during the regular season, according to Berreth earlier in the year.
Plakke has also been great in singles competition, but was defeated in the quarterfinals.
Sweet was also defeated in the quaterfinals, although she established herself as another tough singles competitor throughout the season.
Both players that make up the Ruthford/Moser team for Superior/Alberton have also had a good season, but have had the ups-and-downs toward the end of the season. Their wins and losses have fluctuated, however, they have remained a force to be reckoned with in doubles matches.
Ruthford and Moser were defeated early in the first round at the tournament.
Overall, Superior/Alberton qualified enough players to compete at the divisional meet.
The Cats will finish the season back in Missoula starting on May 22 as they compete in state.