Manchester Tennis Clinches TRC
The Manchester tennis team clinched the TRC with a 3-2 win over Peru Wednesday.
Manchester wins TRC with convincing 3-2 win over Peru! Team record moves to 14-1 and 8-0 in conference. JV wins and end the year 15-2 and 8-0 in TRC.
1 Sarah Kerlin (11) vs. Mackey Hyde (12) Peru 0-6, 0-6
2 Myla Crozier (9) vs. Lauren Boyer (12) Peru 6-0, 3-6, 5-7
3 Bethany Penrod (9) vs. Emma Eldridge (12) Man 6-1, 6-1
VARSITY DOUBLES
1 Delani Henderson(12) vs. Esme Flores (12) Man 6-0, 6-0
Carleigh Blevins (11) Kara Baker (12)
2 Addison Brubaker (10) vs. Caidence Luster (12) Man 6-0, 6-1
Hailey Krom (11) Cameryn Raber (12)
RESULT: Win 3-2
RECORD: 14-1 (8-0 TRC Champs!)
JUNIOR VARSITY Doubles:
Emilee Manns (12) vs. Lou Lou Sanseau (12)Man 8-5
Carrie Hoffmeyer (11) Anna Roush (11)
RESULT: Win 1-0
RECORD: 15-2 (8-0 TRC Champs!)
Manchester JV vs. Manchester JV
DOUIBLES
Katie Jenkins (10) vs. Kate Schroll (9) Katie&Ella 8-7(7-5)
Ella Bradley (10) Maggie Onderko-White(9)
Sophia Anglin (10) vs. Chase Blevins (9) Sophie&Haley 8-6
Haley Betten (10) Lexi Nichols (9)
Alexa Weaver (11) vs. Ava Baker (10) Ava&Marley 8-0
Citlali Quiroz-Alverez(10) Marley Bellinger (10)
Lilli Meyer (11Ex) vs. Isabelle Anguilm(11) Lilli&Audrey 8-5
Audrey Sanson (10) MaKayla Marcum (9)
What a night for Manchester tennis! In a match between the top two conference teams who were both undefeated in TRC play, Manchester took back the title from an experienced all-senior Peru team. “Last May when the season ended, we knew that Peru graduated 3 players and us 2. We knew their returning girls were their top 4 spots and they would be the favorites in 2023. Our team didn’t back down as we worked hard all summer, fall, and winter, added several talented freshmen, and regained the top spot a year earlier than most thought possible,” remarked a thrilled Coach Eichenauer. Here’s how it happend. Senior captain Delani Henderson and co-captain Carleigh Blevins delivered a crushing, dominant victory at one doubles 6-0,6-0 in just over a half an hour. All facets of the game, from power serves to pinpoint returns, went Manchester’s way. The next match fell to Peru as their all star 1 singles player beat a determined Sarah Kerlin (and co-captain) who impressed in many points with her strong groundstrokes and improved serving. At the 50 minute mark freshman Bethany Penrod closed out her 6-1,6-1 match after running her opponent all around the court, inducing a combination of opponent errors and hitting her own beautiful winning shots. Moments later the two doubles team of junior Hailey Krom and sophomore Addison Brubaker clinched the team win with a 6-0,6-1 victory. The smiles on everyone’s faces said it all as the focus drifted down to watch the end of the longest match of the night at 2 singles. Freshman Myla Crozier rushed out of the gate to surprise her experienced Peru opponent with a 6-0 set one win. Set two saw several really long games go Peru’s way as she pushed and dinked the ball trying to throw off Crozier’’s power and athleticism. After a 3-6 second set loss, set three saw both players trade games with Crozier fighting off a 4-5 deficit to tie it 5 games apiece. Two close game losses ended in a 5-7 defeat, but the team had already secured the 3-2 win. Manchester finishes the regular season at 14-1 and a perfect 8-0 in Three Rivers Conference play.
In JV play Peru only had one double team whom senior Emilee Manns and junior Carrie Hoffmeyer defeated 8-5. Manchester JV also ended 8-0 in TRC action and an incredible 15-2 dual record. Coach Nikki Briner was thrilled with the improvement and attitudes of all players. “Many beginners really improved this year, and several returning players gained great confidence.” Coach Eichenuer replied, “this JV team is by far the best talent we’ve ever seen with many players being varsity level on other teams.”
Other Manchester JV vs. JV matches proved entertaining and very competitive with the depth of Manchester tennis shining into the evening. Losing only 3 seniors (one from varsity) even increases the excitement and forward thinking of championships in the years to come.
