With the conference tournament looming, the Bulldogs couldn’t help gauging their performance on Thursday against post season expectations.
Mexico knocked off Boonville 7-2 at the …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
![Estrella Lopez returns a shot during her singles win against Boonville. [Dave Faries]](https://epsilon.creativecirclecdn.com/mexicoledger/original/20210930-125408-Mexico%20Tennis%20v%20Boonville%204.JPG)
![Winona Whelan in action against Boonville on Thursday. When paired with Lily Yager, she anticipates a strong postseason. [Dave Faries]](https://epsilon.creativecirclecdn.com/mexicoledger/original/20210930-125419-Mexico%20Tennis%20v%20Boonville%202.JPG)
With the conference tournament looming, the Bulldogs couldn’t help gauging their performance on Thursday against post season expectations.
Mexico knocked off Boonville 7-2 at the Fairgrounds Park Netplex for a 9-3 mark on the season. In the aftermath of an easy doubles win and an 8-2 romp over Kate Schneringer in singles, Estrella Lopez shook her head.
“I need to work on serves and prepare mentally,” she said.
Jocelyn Garcia was equally serious following a 2-0 day capped by an 8-3 singles win, beating Boonville’s Lillie Hendrix with points to spare.
Her checklist for improvement was longer. “I would say everything at this point,” Garcia observed.
Boonville was a late addition to the schedule. The game gave Mexico some extra work before this week’s conference tournament.
The opportunity to add real matches so late in the season was important, said Lily Yager.
“Conference is where it all counts,” she said. “You just have to be prepared for anything.”
Yager had little trouble dispatching Arjiana Webster in singles play, winning 8-2. Katie Gooch appeared to be in post season form, as well, blanking Abigail Pannell 8-0.
The Bulldogs’ came up short twice in singles, but both were tight battles. In the number one slot Shelby Kennemore kept close but lost to Emmi Neidig 8-4. Winona Whelan, who is often locked in narrow affairs, dropped her singles match 8-5.
“I always seem to end up on the wrong end,” Whelan said with a smile. Her strength is in doubles, where paired with Yager she helped claim an 8-1 victory.
The two have been sharp all season.
“We’re strong at the net and good mentally,” Whelan explained. “I think we will go far.”
Also in doubles on Thursday, Garcia and Lopez dropped Hendrix and Schneringer 8-3. Gooch and Kennemore emerged on top of an 8-6 fracas with Neidig and Pannell.
Boonville did not bring their full squad, so JV was a hybrid of doubles and singles. Mexico came out ahead 4-2.
Doubles sides of Jyllian Whitworth and Brynna Carey, Daida Herrera and Amelia Denham, as well as Lucy Gleeson and Alice Eggen all won. The Bulldogs were 1-3 in singles, with Sandra Cruz-Jarquin grabbing the W.
