The Blair varsity tennis team played its first home matches of the season Tuesday at Stemmermann Park.
The Bears moved to 1-1 through two duals with a 7-2 win against South Sioux City (SSC), but the doubles team of Addy Nilges and Caitlyn Haggstrom moved to 2-0. The pair won their opening match of the day convincingly, 8-1. The pairing is new, but the results suggest the Bears work well together.
“We just communicate on the court,” Haggstrom said.
Against their Cardinals opposition, Nilges had success hitting returns at the net, while her partner made smooth swings from further back, picking her spots.
“Sometimes I try to read the court and see where the best place to hit the ball would be,” Haggstrom said. “But sometimes I just want to get it over.”
Nilges said she prefers playing back, too.
“The net is intense,” she said.
“See, but you're really good at the net,” Haggstrom cut in, complimenting her partner.
The victory motivated the BHS doubles standouts for their singles matches, too, though Haggstrom tries to take a one-match-at-a-time approach.
“It makes me feel ready, prepared,” Nilges said.
Both Bears won as well. Haggstrom earned a 8-1 victory at No. 1 singles, while Nilges won 8-3 at No. 3. Maicy Lourens, Phoenixx Penke and Bailey Dingfield also won singles matches by scores of 8-3, 8-3 and 8-5. Anissa Delgado, meanwhile, came up just short at No. 2 singles, 8-5.
At No. 1 doubles, Lourens and Dingfield beat SSC 8-1. Penke and Delaney Dishman fell short at No. 2 doubles, 9-7.
“Overall, I thought the team did well,” Blair coach Matt Aschoff said. His team next plays at home Monday against Ralston. Matches begin at 4 p.m.
