Lady Buck Tennis 10-5; Playoffs Next Tuesday
by Jim Morgan
FARWELL – The Bucktail Lady Bucks give every indication of being ready for the fast-approaching post season.
Last week the Lady Bucks posted a 2-1 record which has them at 10-5 on the season and heading to the District 4 playoffs next Tuesday. Bucktail was heading towards Bloomsburg on Tuesday of this week for another match but a phone call telling of rain in Columbia County sent the team back to Farwell for another round of practice.
Last Wednesday undefeated South Williamsport came to the Bucktail campus. This time things would get a little nerve-racking for the Lady Mounties. A month ago the Mounties blanked the Lady Bucks 5-0. This time Lady Bucks Maria Morgan #1 seed and Abby Ransom #2 seed wanted South to be aware that Bucktail was not going to lie down quietly. Morgan turned it around on South’s Anya Plotnikaa who gave Morgan her only loss this season thus far as Morgan dominated winning in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0 over Plotnikaa.
No. 2 seed Ransom also lost in a close match at South but this time, Ransom was on top of her game over Hannah Summerson, Ransom hitting some outstanding shots at the right time during the match to win in straight sets, 6-4,6-4.
The Lady Bucks had South on their heels as the match was tied 2-2. With both teams and coaches gathering on the last court and rooting on their teammates, juniors Bridget Gardner and Leela Singh did not have enough winners to take the match from South Williamsport as they won 3-2.
Coaches Dan and Alison Heiser were very proud on the way the girls played. But for Morgan and Ransom to turn their matches around from the first time “WOW” is inspiring. “Now if we can get one more match to have confidence like them, “We are good!” Coach Dan mentioned, “We will finish the season out strong!”
Last Thursday the Lady Bucks traveled to Galeton as they won 6-1 and assured themselves a spot in the team play-offs Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Bloomsburg University. Time will not be available at press time. Find out on-line by going to: therecord-online.com and take a look at Lady Bucks Tennis under the article of “Perfect Senior Day.”
The only match the Lady Bucks lost was the first doubles as all the single matches were dominated by Bucktail. That first double team of Singh and Renee Werts went down fighting as they played three sets.
Then on Friday it was Senior Day at the Lady Bucks Tennis courts. There was a big crowd on hand to watch for the last time three outstanding tennis players that brought Lady Bucks tennis to the highest level it ever had. Seniors Maria Morgan, Abby Ransom and Alaina Tripp made an impact from the first time they stepped foot on the court as Morgan and Ransom played for four years, Tripp played three years. All three of them showed the Lady Bucks fans why they were special players to Coaches Dan and Alison Heiser for all these years.
Cowanesque Valley was the opponent as the Lady Bucks won 7-0. It was all about the seniors this match as the three of them played singles and doubles. Coach Dan pointed out to everyone during the pregame ceremonies how special they meant to the team as he would be lost for words on each of them while holding back his emotions. Dan pointed out that the three of them played to the highest level and beyond anyone’s expectations. For Coach Alison and the rest of the players it was hard to hold the tears back. But as Coach Dan quickly reminded everyone we have a match to play.
For you tennis buffs, Morgan, Ransom and Tripp played 10 sets this match without giving one game up. That is why Coaches Dan and Alison just smile when they take the court. “They will surely be missed and I could talk all night about them,” commented Coach Dan.
The perfect score by the three seniors rubbed off onto the underclassmen as a team as the Lady Bucks only gave up 3 total games out of seven matches for the shutout victory.
Hats off to Cowanesque Valley Coaches to agree with Coaches Dan and Alison on playing the seniors in doubles at home. The celebration was joined by both teams and fans as a great picnic was held that the Lady Bucks parents and Booster Club put on.
On Thursday the Lady Bucks will finish their final regular season match at Towanda starting at 4:00 PM. Follow Lady bucks tennis on therecord-online.com.
Bucks 2 South 3
Singles:
Maria Morgan B def. Anya Plotnikaa S (6-3, 6-0)
Abby Ransom B def. Hannah Summson S (6-4, 6-4)
Annie Fessler S def. Alaina Tripp B (6-0, 6-0)
Doubles:
Megan Rovenolt – Mikalyn Boatman S def. Emalea Mills – Hailey Risley B (6-1, 6-0)
Monique McLaughlin – Gracie Estrella S def. Bridget Gardner – Leela Singh B (6-0, 6-1)
Bucks 6 Galeton 1
Singles:
Maria Morgan B def. Kassie Brown G (6-0, 6-0)
Abby Ransom B def. Kelly Murray G (6-0, 6-1)
Alaina Tripp B def. Mary Polz G (6-1, 6-0)
Hailey Risley B def. Grace Olofson G (6-1, 6-0)
Bridget Gardner B def. Unknown G (6-0, 6-0)
Doubles:
Brown/Murray G def. Leela Singh/Renee Werts B (6-3, 3-6, 10-8)
Emalea Mills/Ebonee Spriggs B def. Polz/Olofson G (7-6, 6-2)
Bucks 7 CV 0
Singles:
Maria Morgan B def. Jessica Prutsman CV (6-0, 6-0)
Abby Ransom B def. Lauren Jones CV (6-0, 6-0)
Alaina Tripp B def. Ashley Wattles CV (6-0, 6-0)
Hailey Risley B def. Delney Ruef CV (6-1, 6-0)
Leela Singh B def. Morgan Cody CV (6-2, 6-0)
Doubles:
Morgan/Ransom B def. Prutsman/Jones CV (6-0, 6-0)
Tripp/Bridget Gardner B def. Wattles/Ruef CV (6-0, 6-0)
