Lady Bucks stay in Mid Penn title hunt with 3-2 win at Montgomery

By Bees O’Brien

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT- Bucktail tennis was prepared for their rematch against Montgomery on Tuesday afternoon, but what they didn’t expect was their pivotal Mid Penn Conference clash with the Lady Red Raiders to be moved indoors. The move was made to avoid inclement weather in a contest that both teams needed to get in with the close of regular season at the end of next week.

The Lady Bucks adjusted well to the indoor setting of the West Branch Tennis Club in South Williamsport and fended off Montgomery 3-2, in another hard-fought battle between the two Mid Penn title contenders.

In singles both Eva Sockman and Lola English prevailed and the doubles tandem of McKenna Bissman and freshman Kelsie Wagner battled Montgomery’s Ariana Snyder and Lainie Solano in a tough 7-5, 6-3 victory to seal Bucktail’s ninth win of the season and helped the Lady Bucks keep pace with conference leading South Williamsport.

Montgomery had knocked off some strong squads since their loss at Bucktail back on September 3. Victories over South Williamsport and Loyalsock had the Lady Red Raiders flying high until the home loss Tuesday afternoon.

The win now has Bucktail at 9-1 on the season and 4-1 within conference play. October 2 they will host South Williamsport in a match that will decide the outright Mid Penn championship.

Before that contest, Bucktail is set to meet Jersey Shore (4-8) in Farwell in an important District IV 2A clash.

SINGLES

Eva Sockman (B) def. Cali Barnes (M). 6-1, 6-0

Madisyn Miller (M) def. Kendall Wagner (B) 6-1, 6-0

Lola English (B) def. Ava Hartman (M) 6-0, 6-0

DOUBLES

McKenna Bissman/ Kelsie Wagner (B) def. Ariana Snyder/ Lainie Solano (M) 7-5, 6-3

Avelyn Moore/ Emily Miller (M) def. Riley Salizonni/ Carrie Ditty (B) 6-2, 6-3