Milbank Girls Tennis Team Heads to State

The Lady Bulldogs tennis team will hit the pavement this Thursday through Saturday, October 6-8, in Rapid City. They will compete at the 2016 State Girls Tennis Tournament. The team racked up seven dual victories this year and according to head coach Jim Dahl, “The confidence level of the team is right where we like it to be going into the state tournament.”

In regular season play, the Lady Bulldogs lost their final match 5-4 to Benson, Minnesota, September 29, at Cantine Courts in Milbank. “I am pleased with the way the girls fought,” stated coach Dahl. “Benson has a strong team with eight seniors and only one loss on the season.”

Seniors Paige Johnson and Tatiana Stemsrud led the way for the Lady Bulldogs as double winners. “It was great to have Paige and Tatiana spark the team with their doubles win and then follow up with singles victories. I am happy they ended their final home match on a positive note.” Senior Jamie DeVaal also added a win at the number four singles spot to close out her final season at home.

Complete results from the Benson match:
Singles
1. Paige Johnson defeated Kellie Enderson, 11-10 (7-1); 2. Tatiana Stemsrud defeated Anna Dieter, 10-8; 3. Jodi DeVaal fell to Gracie Grussing, 10-7; 4. Jamie DeVaal downed Grace Ricard, 10-8; 5. Sarah Jarman lost to Cassie Fuegelberg, 10-4; 6. Halli Essington dropped to Sophia Curriel, 10-8.
Doubles
1. Johnson/Stemsrud defeated Katie Samuelson/Ricard, 11-9; 2. DeVaal/DeVaal fell to Gurssing/Olivia Vergen, 10-5; 3. Jarman/Essington dropped to Rose McDonald/Olivia Hoffman, 10-4.