Lady Bulldog Netters Return to Court

The Lady Bulldogs girls’ tennis team has started off their 2020 season great, according to head coach Abbey Trapp. Milbank took on Brookings and Yankton on Thursday, August 13, and ended the day at 1-1. The team traveled to Harrisburg on Saturday, August 15, and came away with another 1-1 day. Milbank then defeated Huron in a solid match on Tuesday, August 18. “I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season turns out,” says Trapp. But why not go see for yourself? Attendance at matches is open to anyone as tennis is considered an outdoor, low-attendance sport. Trapp says things might look a little different this year. “A new rule this season allows coaches to coach their players between points as long as it doesn’t interrupt the flow of play.” 
Halli Essington and Jenna Johnson are the seniors on the 2020 team. Returning letter winners include juniors Hattie Muellenbach and Alexis Ninneman and freshmen Hope Karels and Aubree Fraasch. Junior Marian Mischel is a newcomer to the team. Steve Stemsrud will serve as the assistant coach and will also coach the middle school players.

Match Results:
Milbank 8 – Brookings 1
Singles1. Halli Essington defeated Skylor Ness, 10-1; 2. Hattie Muellenbach downed Lynn Foster, 10-2; 3. Jenna Johnson defeated Tristina Ting, 11-9; 4. Hope Karels defeated Brea Tonsager, 10-5; 5. Marian Mischel fell to Heather Rudd, 10-7.

Doubles1. Essington/Muellenbach won 10-5; 2. Johnson/Ninneman won 10-5; 3. Karels/Mischel won 10-8.

Milbank 4 – Yankton 5
Singles1. Halli Essington fell to Maggie Schaefer, 10-1; 2. Hattie Muellenbach lost to Nora Krajewski, 10-3; 3. Jenna Johnson defeated Frannie Kouri, 10-5; 4. Alexis Ninneman lost to Sabrina Krajewski, 10-6; 5. Hope Karels defeated Addison Gordon, 11-10 (7-4); 6. Marian Mischel fell to Kayla Marsh, 10-6.

Doubles1. Essington/Muellenbach won 10-8; 2. Johnson/Ninneman won 10-8; 3. Karels/Mischel lost 10-2.

Milbank 1 – Harrisburg 8
Singles1. Halli Essington defeated Emma Rangle 10-5; 2. Hattie Muellenbach fell to Grace Starr, 10-4; 3. Jenna Johnson dropped to Emily Hanson, 10-4; 4. Alexis Ninneman lost to Maddie Grabow, 10-2; 5. Hope Karels fell to Eloise Ceraets, 10-1; 6. Marian Mischel lost to Maddie Eisenbeisz, 10-0; 7. Aubree Fraasch fell to Mackenzie Vickery, 10-4

Doubles1. Essington/Muellenbach lost 10-2; 2. Johnson/Ninneman fell 10-2; 3. Karels/Mischel dropped 10-1.

Milbank 8 – Lennox 1
Singles1. Halli Essington won over Ally Hanlen, 10-1; 2. Hattie Muellenbach downed Gracen Juffer, 10-2; 3. Jenna Johnson defeated Madison Johnson, 10-4; 4. Alexis Ninneman won over Lizzy Brehmer, 10-1; 5. Hope Karels won over Ellen Boomgarden, 10-5; 6. Marian Mischel fell to Madi Buehner, 10-6; 7. Aubree Fraasch won over Emilyrose Harrington, 10-6.

Doubles1. Essington/Muellenbach won 10-0; 2. Johnson/Ninneman won 10-2; 3. Karels/Mischel won 11-10 (7-5).

Milbank 6, Huron 3
Singles1. Halli Essington defeated Audrey Rubish, 6-1, 3-6 (10-3); 2. Hattie Muellenbach defeated Beth Bradhart, 6-4, 6-4; 3. Jenna Johnson fell to Bianca Medina, 1-6, 0-6; 4. Alexis Ninneman defeated Anne Claive Rubish, 6-0, 6-3; 5. Hope Karels lost to Lizza Heinen, 4-6, 5-7; 6. Marian Mischel fell to Say Ma, 1-6, 1-6; 7. Aubree Fraasch defeated Pa Ler Htoo, 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles1. Essington/Muellenbach won 6-0, 7-5; 2. Johnson/Ninneman won 6-1, 6-4; 3. Karels/Mischel won 1-6, 6-3 (10-7).