The Blair tennis team celebrated Caitlyn Haggstrom, Bailey Dingfield, Addy Nilges and Mercedes Welch on Thursday before its home dual with Nebraska City.
Their Senior Night signifies the fast approach of the four Bears' graduation as well as that of teammate Havilynn Oudeman.
“It's just crazy,” Welch said.
BHS fell to the Pioneers, 3-6, in the doubles and singles matches that followed the 12th-graders' moment. Haggstrom was the lone senior to pick up an 8-6 doubles win with partner Alexandra Nilges — who also won a singles match, 8-1.
Jazmyne Roach, meanwhile, went 2-0 with an 8-5 singles win. She and Jenna Murch-Shafer beat a Nebraska City pairing 8-5, too.
Even in defeat, though, Dingfield noted some good play out on the Stemmermann Park courts. Addy Nilges and she dropped their doubles match just 8-6.
“We were pretty evenly matched with them, I think,” Dingfield said.
The senior is a four-year BHS tennis player.
“It's a pretty chill sport,” she said. “It's been really enjoyable.”
Welch, meanwhile, first went out for the sport during her sophomore school year. That first season was derailed by the COVID-19 cancellations of 2020.
Still, though, Welch returned to the tennis team under coach Matt Aschoff last year and Dallas Roach this spring.
“It was just a lot of fun,” the senior said. “It kind of kept me busy. I had something to do, and I enjoy the competition.”
Dingfield has enjoyed the ride as well.
“It's been really fun to just improve with my team and grow with them,” she said.
While the varsity Bears fell short against Nebraska City, the junior varsity lineup won 11 of the 12 matches they played on the road. BHS was set to play varsity matches at Omaha Roncalli on Monday and next competes 4 p.m. today at Elkhorn. The JV hosts the Antlers at the same time.
