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It was a fine start to the Minnesota River Conference (MRC) season for Sibley East’s tennis team. The Lady Wolverines posted a 4-3 win over Belle Plaine on Wednesday in conference action at Arlington.

All four victories for Sibley East came in straight sets. The Wolverines were on the short end of the lone three set match of the day.

“It was nice to see the girls kick off the conference season with a victory,” Sibley East head coach Chad Bachman said. “You can see our players improving and gaining confidence with each meet.”

A pair of young Wolverines posted victories in singles play. Sophomore Courtney Nienaber was a winner at #3 singles. She cruised to a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Also winning on the singles court was Sibley East ninth-grader Mackenzie Timm. She tripped her Belle Plaine opponent 7-6, 6-2 in the #4 singles match.

Winning in convincing fashion at #2 doubles was Sibley East senior Kati Klimmek and her ninth-grade partner Stephanie Schuneman. They combined for a 6-1, 6-0 victory.

The Wolverines then sealed the victory with a win at #3 doubles. Posting the victory was the Sibley East tandem of Becca Paine and Michelle Pioske. The two juniors topped their Belle Plaine opponents 6-3, 6-1.

Sibley East was on the short end of a three set match at #1 doubles. Falling short were Wolverines Crystal Doering and Alisha Schuneman. The two seniors won the first set 6-4 only to fall 3-6, 4-6 in the next two sets.

Belle Plaine’s Flaherty sisters proved too strong for Sibley East in the top singles matches. Sibley East sophomore Kayla Trocke fell to senior Katelyn Flaherty 6-1, 6-4 in the #1 singles match. At #2 singles, Belle Plaine’s Maura Flaherty defeated Sibley East sophomore Ashley Thomes 6-1, 6-2.

Sibley East, 2-6-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play, will play at Maple River on Thursday, then at Jordan on Tuesday, September 11th.

The next home match for the Lady Wolverines is scheduled for September 18th against Le Sueur-Henderson.

…falls to LSH 4-3

Sibley East’s tennis team won a trio of three set matches Thursday only to fall at Le Sueur-Henderson 4-3 in Minnesota River Conference (MRC) action.

“It was a tough loss for the team but the silver lining was winning all of the three set matches,” Sibley East head coach Chad Bachman said.

Bachman’s Lady Wolverines won two of the three doubles matches. The #1 doubles team of Crystal Doering and Alisha Schuneman struggled in set two but managed to come away with a victory. Scores from that match were 6-3, 0-6, 6-3.

Also winning in doubles play were Wolverines Kati Klimmek and Stephanie Schuneman. They also lost set two but bounced back in the final set for the win. Scores from that match were 7-6, 2-6, 6-3.

Another seesaw battle was won by Sibley East in the #2 singles match. Sophomore Ashley Thomes recorded that win for the Wolverines. She sandwiched a 6-0 set two loss between 6-1 and 6-3 wins.

Suffering setbacks in singles play were Wolverines Kayla Trocke (6-2, 7-6), Courtney Nienaber (6-4, 7-6) and Mackenzie Timm (6-0, 6-2).

Sibley East’s #3 doubles team of Becca Paine and Michelle Pioske were on the short end of a 7-5, 6-4 decision.