Lady Bulldog Netters Gain Positive Experience on the Court

The Milbank Lady Bulldog tennis team spent a lot of time on the court and came away with positive gains following the Brandon Valley Invitational Friday and Saturday, September 8-9. The locals sit with a 4-8 season record following the event.

“This was a very good mid-season experience for our players,” stated Bulldog head coach Jim Dahl. “They rose to the occasion and battled through a lot of tennis in two days. It is the best preparer we have during the regular season for the state tournament in early October. I am extremely proud of their efforts, sportsmanship, competitive spirit, and execution of our match plan through the event.”

Milbank earned a 6-3 victory over Vermillion before falling 9-0 to Sioux Falls Lincoln on Friday. Jodi DeVaal and Halli Essington, at number one doubles and #1 and #2 singles, were double winners on the day as was Jenna Johnson, at number six singles and number three doubles.

On Saturday, the Lady Bulldogs collected a close 5-4 win over Rapid City Central, but fell 7-2 to Brandon Valley and 8-1 to Harrisburg. Essington and Jenna Johnson were the double winners in the RC Central match. Hattie Muellenbach was a double winner in the match with Brandon Valley, and Essington was the lone winner in the Harrisburg match.

Several injuries are plaguing the Lady Bulldogs, but that did not keep them off the court. “These girls are mentally and physically tough,” expressed Coach Dahl. “I am blessed to be able to coach them. Our girls performed better than I could have asked for at this stage in the event. We really appreciate the work of Heidi Pauli with Big Stone Therapies. She is outstanding with her field of expertise. We thank her for all she has done to keep us competing on the courts this season.”

Following are the complete results from each match:
Milbank 6, Vermillion 3
Singles – 1. Jodi DeVaal won 5-0 by injury default; 2. Halli Essington won 5-1, 6-4; 3. Rhianna Cantine fell 5-3, 7-6 (3), 10-5; 4. Rhianna Welberg lost 5-1, 5-2; 5. Hattie Muellenbach dropped 5-0, 5-1; 6. Jenna Johnson won 5-0, 5-0.
Doubles – 1. DeVaal/Essington won 0-5, 5-1, 10-2; 2. Cantine/Welberg won 5-2, 1-5, 10-8; 3. Muellenbach/Johnson won 5-2, 6-4.
Milbank 0, Sioux Falls Lincoln 9
Singles – 1. Jodi DeVaal fell 5-0, 5-1; 2. Halli Essington lost 5-0, 5-0; 3. Rhianna Cantine dropped 5-0, 5-0; 4. Rhianna Welberg fell 5-0, 5-0; 5. Hattie Muellenbach lost 5-0, 5-0; 6. Jenna Johnson dropped 5-0, 5-0.
Doubles – 1. DeVaal/Essington fell 5-0, 5-0; 2. Cantine/Welberg lost 5-0, 5-0; 3. Muellenbach/Johnson dropped 5-0, 5-0.
Milbank 5, Rapid City Central 4
Singles – 1. Jodi DeVaal fell 5-3, 6-5(1); 2. Halli Essington won 6-5(0), 5-1; 3. Rhianna Cantine won 6-5(7), 5-1; 4. Rhianna Welberg lost 5-1, 1-5, 4-10; 5. Hattie Muellenbach dropped 5-1, 1-5, 5-10; 6. Jenna Johnson won 6-4, 6-4.
Doubles – 1. DeVaal/Essington won 5-3, 5-3; 2. Cantine/Welberg lost 5-1, 5-0; 3. Muellenbach/Johnson won 4-6, 5-1, 10-5.
Milbank 2, Brandon Valley 7
Singles – 1. Jodi DeVaal fell 8-0; 2. Halli Essington lost 8-5; 3. Rhianna Cantine dropped 8-5; 4. Rhianna Welberg fell 8-0; 5. Hattie Muellenbach won 8-3; 6. Jenna Johnson lost 8-3.
Doubles – 1. DeVaal/Essington fell 8-0; 2. Cantine/Welberg lost 8-2; 3. Muellenbach/Johnson won 8-5.
Milbank 1, Harrisburg 8
Singles – 1. Jodi DeVaal lost 10-3; 2. Halli Essington won 10-4; 3. Rhianna Cantine lost 10-3; 4. Rhianna Welberg dropped 10-3; 5. Hattie Muellenbach fell 10-4; 6. Jenna Johnson lost 10-3.
Doubles – 1. DeVaal/Essington lost 10-5; 2. Cantine/Welberg fell 10-5; 3. Muellenbach/Johnson dropped 10-4.

Pictured is Jenna Johnson.