Loyalsock ends shorthanded Lady Bucks season in semifinals, 3-1

By Bees O’Brien

WILLIAMSPORT-Bucktail tennis seen their best season in program history end on Tuesday night at the hands of second-seeded Loyalsock by the score of 3-1.

Bucktail (13-2), the tournament’s three–seedstarted their semifinal match against the Lady Lancers down 1-0 following a forfeit at number two singles as Kendall Wagner did not compete.

The Lady Bucks managed to tie things up following a 6-2, 6-1 win in number one doubles behind the play of Kelsie Wagner and McKenna Bissman. The Bucktail duo downed Loyalsock’s Lashlyn Sauers and Kaylene Kriner.

Bucktail went on to drop the number two doubles contest when Kinsley Hill and Annalise Berger of Loyalsock defeated Carrie Ditty and Riley Salizonni 6-0, 6-2.

That doubles win by Loyalsock set the tempo following the forfeit at number two singles and that in turn put senior Lola English’s back to the wall at number three singles. English battled Loyalsock’s Vivian Reem hard, but in the end it was the Lady Lancer coming out on top, 6-2, 6-3.

The loss ends Bucktail’s season. Loyalsock will advance to the District IV 2A final to meet top seeded Danville on Thursday. Loyalsock also automatically secured a state playoff bid in the process.

Loyalsock 3, Bucktail 1

SINGLES

1. Caroline Crawford (L) led Eva Sockman, 6-4, 5-4 (pulled); 2. Gia Biacchi (L) by forfeit; 3. Vivian Reem (L) def. Lola English, 6-2, 6-3.

DOUBLES

1. McKenna Bissman/Kelsie Wagner (B) def. Lashlyn Sauers/Kaylene Kriner 6-2, 6-1; 2. Kinsley Hill/Annalise Berger (L) def. Carrie Ditty/Riley Salizzoni, 6-0, 6-2.