Blair High School's doubles teams finished fifth Monday during the Eastern Midlands Conference Tournament at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln.
Addy Nilges and Abi Rothlisberger, and Jenna Murch-Shafer and Mallory Dreher, each won consolation matches against Waverly competition. Nilges and Rothlisberger won 6-4, 2-6 and 10-6, while Murch-Shafer and Dreher earned a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The Bears' Alexandra Nilges and Jazmyne Roach added sixth-place finishes in Nos. 1 and 2 singles, respectively.
“I thought the girls played really well,” said coach Dallas Roach, describing the effort of her full lineup. “They were competitive in every match. Plus, pretty much everyone was at a spot they weren't used to.”
BHS played without seniors Bailey Dingfield and Caitlyn Haggstrom. As a result, Alexandra Nilges played up to No. 1 singles — Haggstrom's usual spot in the lineup — and Addy Nilges played with a new partner, Rothlisberger, for the first time.
Murch-Shafer and Dreher, and Jazmyn Roach, hadn't played in Monday's positions either.
“How the girls played today was competitive and exciting,” Roach said.
The Bears were scheduled to play at Waverly on Thursday and next compete Thursday, May 19, during the NSAA Class B state championships. Matches start 9 a.m. back at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln.
