Lady Buck Duo at States on Friday
Bucktail’s District Four doubles champions Abby Ransom and Maria Morgan proudly display their championship medals prior to a parade and bonfire in their honor Tuesday evening. The Bucktail seniors will be going for state honors at the PIAA championships starting Friday at the Hershey Racquet Club. First up at 1:30 p.m. is a match against the District Nine champs from Brockway. This is the second year in a row Morgan and Ransom will represent Bucktail at the state tourney. Record photo – Lynn Gavlock
by Jim Morgan
FARWELL – Here we are late October, you think of football at all levels. You think of baseball and the World Series between the Giants and Royals. But for the time since last year and now this Friday and Saturday, Bucktail High School is buzzing about PIAA AA Girls Doubles Tennis Championships. Just take a moment and think about it, what are the odds on getting back to the State Play-off rounds two years in a row?
Tell seniors Maria Morgan and Abby Ransom as they brought the “GOLD” home to Bucktail after winning the District IV Class AA Girls Doubles Tennis. It would not come easy for these two outstanding players as they were down 3-0 in the third set before winning the next 7 out of 9 games to capture the title. Going into the play-offs, Morgan and Ransom knew it was going to be a battle as they were seeded #1. Morgan mentioned that “last year we were seeded #4 and had nothing to lose. This year everyone would be aiming to beat us.”
In the semifinals they faced Hughesville’s #2 team of Kierra Croucher and Allison Mattucci as they were seeded #5. Morgan and Ransom would start out nervous as they would fall behind in the first set before winning it 6-4. Then they started settling in on their type of game as they won the second set 6-2. In the other semifinals, Hughesville’s #1 team of Rachel Thomas and Courtney McCowan won over Bloomsburg’s #1 team of Ivy-Rose Kramer and Lauren Cunfer 6-4,6-1.
The final match was everything that you would hope to be as both teams played like champions. The first set was just back and forth until Hughesville won 6-4. Lady Bucks came storming right back in the second set as they won 6-1. Going into the third set it looked like the momentum was all on the Lady Bucks side. That would change quickly as Hughesville jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Morgan and Ransom taking a deep breath would win the next two games on the switch. Then on the next two switches it would be back and forth as Hughesville was winning 5-4.
Morgan and Ransom stood at the net with arms around each other and talked. With Morgan serving and Ransom taking control of the net, it was 5-5. Hughesville’s McCowan serving as the Lady Bucks forced Hughesville on a couple of unforced errors as the Lady Bucks took the lead 6-5 as Ransom was serving. With the game at 40-30 and Ransom serving on match point, the volley began. Then on a lob from Hughesville, Morgan yelled to Ransom watch it as the ball hit out as the celebration began for these Lady Bucks winning the District Title.
Coach Dan Heiser said it well Tuesday night at a bonfire for the Lady Bucks tennis team: “Everyone talks about the Hughesville, Loyalsock, South Williamsport and Bloomsburg tennis teams. All I can say is “WHAT ABOUT US” here at BUCKTAIL. We have athletes on this tennis team; most of them play two or more sports in this school.”
There are only sixteen teams in the State Play-offs. Morgan and Ransom will face Taylor Hepler and Anna Brickley of Brockway High School, winners of District IX, at the Hershey Racquet Club starting at 1:30 PM on Friday.
