Batavia played a tough HFL team Tuesday afternoon in opening round of sectionals. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia’s varsity tennis team ended its season with a 5-0 loss to Honeoye Falls-Lima in the sectional tournament on Tuesday, finishing the year with an 8-8 record.
Finn Halpin “battled the Class B1 Singles Champion in a well-played and competitive match,” said Head Coach Tom Redband.
Halpin advanced to individual State Qualifiers, scheduled for Friday, with the chance to advance to States at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
“We had a tough draw playing HFL, who had a very difficult team schedule due to their division in Monroe County and a lower seed, but the team fought hard against a formidable opponent, and I was proud of that,” Redband said.
“The most satisfying part of the season is seeing new players come out for the team and grow to love the game and hopefully continue to play as a lifelong sport,” Redband said. “I would encourage more kids to try the sport of tennis, no matter what school they attend. It’s a good environment, the vibe is positive, it’s an individual sport wrapped into a team sport, and there is usually a place for a range of abilities.”
The Elba Lancers led the Byron-Bergen Bees 3-1 in tennis on Thursday.
Jason Rowe lost in a three-set match to Riley Shallenburger after winning a first set tiebreaker, 7-5, followed by scores of 3-6, 3-6. Alexa Ocampo won her match at second singles against Erron Kimble with a first-set score of 7-5, followed by a 3-6 second set and a 6-3 third set. At third singles, Clara Torrey also won her match for the Lancers with a 6-0, 6-3 lead over Levi McGrath. The Lancers' first doubles team of Alex Mendoza and Grace Koch beat Sara Bishop and Justin Gabehart 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 to round out the final win for Elba.
The second doubles match could not be completed and ended with the Lancers trailing by one game at a score of 3-4.
At their final "home" match of the season at GCC, the Elba Lancers pulled a 5-0 victory over the Holley Hawks on Wednesday.
Jason Rowe and Clara Torrey had 6-0, 6-0 wins against Arthur Boggs and Aidyn Feiock at first and third singles, respectively.
At second singles against Josmar Hernandez, Alexa Ocampo pulled through a 10-point third-set tiebreaker 11-9 after a 4-6 loss in the first set and a 6-1 comeback in the second.
The Lancers' doubles teams also led successful matches, with Alex Mendoza and Grace Koch beating Carissa Klossner and Kai Kennedy after a score of 4-6, 6,0, and 10-4 in a third-set tiebreaker.
Amy Garcia and Lucy Torrey finished up at second doubles with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Brooke Waldron and Payton Preston.
The Elba Lancers won their match against the Pembroke Dragons with a score of 3-2.
The first singles match went to DJ Hale of Pembroke after a withdrawal from Elba.
At second singles, Alexa Ocampo beat Angel Neureuter 6-4, 6-1 for the Lancers.
At third singles, Clara Torrey also secured a win for the Lancers with a score of 6-1, 6-1 over Camden Schneider.
At first doubles, Logan Manne and Tyler Koepf of Pembroke beat Grace Koch and Alex Mendoza 6-0, 6-1, but the Lancers secured the team victory at second doubles with Amy Garcia and Lucy Torrey. They came out on top in a close match against Danielle Mast and Paul Tebor after winning a first-set tiebreaker 7-5, followed by a 6-4 second set.
Batavia girls tennis lost to Hilton by a score of 4-3. Notable wins for Batavia include Kelsey Kirkwood who had a long three set match coming back to win the third set 6-2 decidedly. Rahmeto Reinhardt and Drew Stevens also represented well, winning at first doubles against a talented Hilton team. This was a very competitive match vs. Hilton all around, and I'm proud of the girls for battling.
Singles
1-Kelsey Kirkwood defeated Sarah Lissow 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
