14 September 2012

Girls Tennis: Close, but not this time

Callie Olmscheid 11-1 for the season (photo by Jim Lindquist)
After upsetting Red Wing 4-3 on Tuesday the Tigers found themselves on the other side of the fence Thursday in a one-point Missota Conference loss at New Prague.

"The match was both exciting and heart-wrenching," coach Jack Olwell said. "We had two very close matches approaching the end of the second set with a chance to move to a decisive third but we lost them both.

"Still, it was the kind of match you wish you could play every time because everyone's match mattered. What a great learning tool."

Two Tiger singles players emerged victorious. Ryan Jara was dominant in a 6-0, 6-2 win at the second slot and Callie Olmscheid ran her lofty season mark to 11-1 with 6-3, 6-2 triumph at No. 3.

Ryan Jara 6-0, 6-2 winner at No. 2 singles (photo by Jim Lindquist)
"Ryan seems to be growing with every match," Olwell said, "and Callie's matches always seem close when you are watching them and the next thing you know she is at the net shaking hands."

The third Farmington point came at second doubles where the tandem of Jess Novotny and Beth Fairchild prevailed 6-3, 6-3.

"At crunch time we did the crunching," Olwell said, "which was a relief since nearly all the games went to deuce."

The Tigers close out a busy week Friday when they travel to South St. Paul for a non-conference match against the Packers.