Lady Bulldogs Suffer Net Loss

The Lady Bulldogs tennis team hosted Madison August 23, and suffered a 9-0 loss in their first match of the season. “It was a rough start,” stated Milbank head coach Jim Dahl. “Madison is coming off a strong past season with their best ever dual and state tournament results. They return some very solid players.” Milbank started out strong in doubles play, but Madison claimed the win at 10-5 in each of the three matches.

Jamie DeVaal and Essington battled in close singles matches, but could not pull out a win. Madison swept all six singles matches to secure the 9-0 team victory. “I was disappointed,” said Coach Dahl. “We know we have work to do and these players are willing to put in the effort to improve. To reach our dual season and state tourney goals, we have to move our feet better and improve upon implementing strategies with the proper timing. We will strive to be at our best around state tournament time.”

Starting for Milbank Area’s varsity team this season are: Paige Johnson, #1 singles; Tatiana Stemsrud, #2 singles; Jodi DeVaal, #3 singles; Jamie DeVaal, #4 singles; Sarah Jarman, #5 singles; and Hallie Essington, #6 singles.

Milbank will play at Lac Qui Parle Valley, MN, Friday, August 26, in a triangular with Marshall, MN, beginning at 3 p.m. The team then travels to Aberdeen on Tuesday, August 30, to take on Aberdeen Central at 1 p.m. and Aberdeen Roncalli at 3:30 p.m.

Results from the Madison match:
Varsity Singles
1. Paige Johnson fell to Ella Graham, 10-0; 2. Tatiana Stemsrud lost to Lacee Fedeler, 10-1; 3. Jodi DeVaal dropped to CC Graham, 10-0; 4. Jamie DeVaal fell to Morgan Wray, 10-4; 5. Sarah Jarman lost to Emma Krugar, 10-1; 6. Hallie Essington dropped to Mya Maxwell, 10-6.
Varsity Doubles
1. Johnson/Stemsrud fell to E. Graham/Fedeler, 10-5; 2. Jodi DeVaal/Jamie DeVaal lost to C. Graham/Wray, 10-5; 3. Jarman/Essington dropped to Krugar/Maxwell, 10-5.
Junior Varsity Singles
1. Rhianna Cantine fell to Alyssa Jones, 8-3; 2. Rhianna Welberg lost to Lily Wolf, 8-3; 3. Jenna Johnson defeated Ailin Montgomery, 6-1; 4. Hattie Muellenbach won over Ashley Aguirre, 6-3; 5. Kaitlyn Schmitt fell to Megan Bierschbach, 6-4; 6. Bailey Frerichs lost to Emily VanLiere, 6-0.
Junior Varsity Doubles
1. Cantine/Welberg fell to Jones/Wolf, 9-8 (4); 2. J. Johnson/Muellenbach defeated Montgomery/Aguirre, 8-2; 3. Schmitt/Frerichs won over Bierschbach/VanLiere, 8-1.
Middle School Singles
Jessica Fenhaus defeated Kennedy Kern, 6-1; Alexis Ninneman fell to Taylor Overby, 6-3; Morgan Folk lost to Sophia Rassmussen, 6-4; MacKenzie Michels downed Fiona Donelan, 6-1; Camryn Popowski defeated Susie Voss, 6-4.
Middle School Doubles
Fenhaus/Ninneman defeated Kern/Overby, 8-6; Folk/Michels won over Rassmussen/Donelan, 8-3; Michels/Popowski defeated Donelan/Voss, 6-0.

Pictured above Jamie DeVaal.