Lady Lynx see mixed results at tennis duals, invite

Staff reports

 

The Lady Lynx tennis team had a busy three days on the West River courts where they played a trio of duals and competed in the Rapid City Invitational Aug. 24-26, returning home with a variety of results.

The team started its Rapid City trip against the senior-strong Pierre Governors, whose varsity experience outplayed Brandon Valley’s youth and inexperience, according to head coach Adam Rothenberger. The Lynx, however, came close to sweeping the Govs in doubles, which could have changed the outcome of the dual. 

Following the 3-6 loss to Pierre, St. Thomas More handed the Lynx the same fate “Once again, our girls had opportunities in doubles to win two of the three that could have given us the win,” the coach said.

Tanna Lehfeldt and Sydney Pelletier had big wins at flights 1 and 2, respectively. Lehfeldt played one of the cleanest matches of the yet young season with very few unforced errors, while seventh grader, Marie Pelletier, earned her first varsity singles win of her prep career, noted the coach.

On Friday, BV faced Rapid City Central in an early morning match and came away with a 6-3 win, the team’s second victory of the season. The Lynx followed the dual with the doubles portion of the Rapid City Invite. The highlights in doubles play came in the top two flights where the Lady Lynx defeated STM’s flight 1 and 2 teams despite losing to those same duos the night before. 

Kate Lundberg and Annabelle Schultz at flight 2 got their revenge in the first round. By dictating most of the points, they made quick work of STM with a 6-3, 6-2 win. 

Lehfeldt and Sydney Pelletier, who easily had the shortest doubles match the night before against STM in their 10-2 loss, turned their game around and with fewer errors and determination, defeated them in an extended match that was decided by a tiebreaker, 7-2.

On Saturday, BV not only had to deal with a wealth of talented players but were also challenged by four weather delays. 

“We were unable to finish the singles tournament, only completing two of the three rounds,” Rothenberger said.

The final round of matches may be played at later dates if teams can work it in to their schedules.

“If so, BV will have three girls going for third and fourth place,” Rothenberger said, citing Lehfeldt, Schultz and Marie Pelletier. Sydney Pelletier and Lundberg could vie for consolation championships, while Adriauna Alexander was on pace to play for seventh/eighth place.

The Lady Lynx compete next on Saturday at the Huron quad, which gets underway at 9 a.m.

BV 3, Pierre 6

Singles: Tanna Lehfeldt (BV) def. Chloe Ryan 10-5; Cassandra Ryckman (P) def. Sydney Pelletier 10-4; Sydney Larson (P) def. Kate Lundberg 10-3; Grace Jones (P) def. Annabelle Schultz 10-3; Adriauna Alexander (BV) def. Jesse Jares 11-10(7-5); Sabrina Kintz (P) def. Marie Pelletier 10-1; Doubles: Lehfeldt/S. Pelletier (BV) def. Ryan/Ryckman 10-7; Larson/Jones (P) def. Lundberg/Schultz 10-7; Kintz/Schultz (P) def. Alexander/Badger 11-9.

BV 3, St. Thomas More 9

Singles: Lehfeldt (BV) def. Ainsleigh Scott 10-1; S. Pelletier (BV) def. Vanessa Wittenberg 11-10(7-5); Rachel Schmal (StM) def. Lundberg 10-5; Bridget Raymond (StM) def. Schultz 10-7; Katherine Achbach (StM) def. M. Pelletier 10-4; M. Pelletier (BV) def. Alastrina Scott 10-6; Doubles: Scott/Wittenberg (StM) def. Lehfeldt/S. Pelletier 10-2; Achbach/Schmal (StM) def. Lundberg/Schultz 11-9; Raymond/Scott (StM) def. Alexander/Badger 10-8.

BV 6, RCC 3

Singles: Lehfeldt (BV) def. Genesis Reynolds 8-0; McKenzey Crowley (RCC) def. S. Pelletier 8-2; Dayton Franke (RCC) def. Lundberg 8-4; Schultz (BV) def. Danielle Mitchell 8-3; Anna Lightenberg (RCC) def. Alexander 8-4; M. Pelletier (BV) def. ¬Grace Lightenberg 8-3. Doubles: Lehfeldt/S. Pelletier (BV) def. G. Reynolds/M. Crowley 8-1; Lundberg/Schultz (BV) def. D. Franke/D. Mitchell 8-2; Alexander/Badger (BV) def. A. Lightenberg/G. Lightenberg 8-4.

RC Invite: Incomplete