Shawano drops opening Bay tennis matches

The Shawano Community High School girls tennis team got its first taste of Bay Conference action Aug. 29-30.

While the Hawks dropped matches to Fox Valley Lutheran (5-2 on Aug. 29 in Shawano) and West De Pere (7-0 on Aug. 30 in De Pere), there were positive points to build from.

“As a team, we learned just how important it is to have fun even when things are not going your way,” said Shawano senior Anna Etten. “Along with that, it is crucial to know and rely on the basics of tennis.”

“Our team is working to try their best to stay in points and be ready,” said senior Sarah Carroll. “We are also improving our stroke play so that we can have more consistent hits.”

Shawano could have earned the win against FVL had a couple tight matches gone its way. Against West De Pere, the reigning conference champs, the Hawks were able to win games in each matchup, which should only boost the team’s confidence going forward.

Sarah Carroll picked up one of Shawano’s wins against FVL, knocking off Johanna Mears by scores of 6-3, 6-3. She fell to West De Pere’s Taylan Wagner 6-0, 6-2. Both of those matches were at No. 3 singles.

“During the match versus FVL, I was constantly thinking about the match and what and where my next hit should go,” said Sarah Carroll. “I was thinking about when is going to be the best time to pull ahead and when to play it safe or be more aggressive.

“The match against West De Pere, I simply lost myself and didn’t play to my full potential. However, the player from West De Pere was a very good player and placed her shots very well.”

Ireland Setterman played at No. 4 singles in both matches for Shawano. She topped FVL’s Giovanna Flink 7-6 (4), 7-5 while dropping a match to West De Pere’s Grace Johnson by scores of 6-2, 6-1.

At No. 2 singles, Shawano’s Adison Moesch dropped matches to FVL’s Alli Olson (6-4, 6-0) and West De Pere’s Stacey Cloute (6-1, 6-1).

Jenna Ainsworth played at No. 1 singles for the Hawks. She fell 6-1, 6-1 to FVL’s Olivia Pethan and 6-0, 6-1 to West De Pere’s Leah Goodman.

Etten and Samantha Martzke served as Shawano’s No. 1 doubles team. They dropped a 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 battle to FVL’s Amelia Segelstrom and Jessica Griepentrog and were defeated 6-4, 6-2 by West De Pere’s Laura Sullivan and Cadence Dugre.

“Samantha and I as a doubles team learned that it is important to be aware and in every point until the entire game is over. It is also important to have good communication,” said Etten. “Going forward, Samantha and I hope to improve upon ball placement and net play.”

Rachael Carroll and Hadley Rettke had Shawano’s other tight match against FVL, losing 7-6 (5), 6-4 to Lauren Wilson and Greta Kopp at No. 3 doubles.

At No. 2 doubles, Shawano’s Ava Huntington and Ariana Albert lost 6-1, 6-3 to FVL’s Chloe Lemberger and Amelia Kelly.

Huntington and Albert formed the No. 3 doubles team for Shawano against West De Pere, dropping a 6-1, 6-1 match to Rhea Kumar and Abby Nuenes.

Rachael Cooper and Natalee Jung played at No. 2 doubles for the Hawks, falling 6-2, 6-1 to West De Pere’s Josie Crandall and Brianna Haen.

“After a couple of losses, we as a team will be working on staying positive, having persistent focus and basic skills overall,” said Etten.

“Our team will be improving on serving and ground strokes to be able to stay in points better,” said Sarah Carroll.

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