Superior tennis sweeps Troy
The 2023 Superior tennis team as they begin preparations for the Western Divisional tournament in Bigfork May 19-20. (Courtesy photo)
They rallied together and won the match despite some disheartening news earlier in the week.
The Superior High tennis team, the only high school tennis program in Mineral and Sanders counties, overcame the loss of one of their top players and pulled off a 4-0 win over visiting Troy this past week in Superior.
Earlier the team had faced the loss for the rest of the season of junior Lani Crabb, a state placer from two years ago and this year’s number one singles player who will be sidelined the rest of the year due to an injured left knee.
“The girls were pretty bummed,” head coach Angie Hopwood said. “But they pulled it together and played hard against Troy. Lani will be missed the rest of this year but hopefully she will be good to go next season”.
In the meantime, the Lady Bobcats shook off the setback and took care of the visiting Lady Trojans with senior Brooke Bibler, part of the Cats’ number one doubles team, sliding into a singles spot and coming away with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Troy’s Winter Sedle.
Superior also got wins from Tina Azura, 6-1, 6-1 over Miley Babcock, and by Ireland Neinrich and Olivia Greuter 6-4, 6-3 over their Troy opponents Bella O'Day and Lilly Kanzler in the doubles match.
The victory came as the team celebrated Seniors Day on their home courts. Moving on via graduation this Spring will be Bibler, Maddy Drey and team manager Mel McCoy.
“These girls (seniors) have been wonderful to work with and their coaches wish them all the best in the world,” Hopwood said. “We couldn’t have asked for anything more as far as hard work, great attitudes and them being fun to be around. They will be greatly missed”.
Superior has one match left on its regular season schedule, against Valley Christian this Thursday in Missoula. They will then travel to Bigfork for the Western Divisional tournament next Friday and Saturday, May 19-20.