By Cort Reynolds / Photos by Mark Andreasen

ADA __The Ada High School tennis team lost to visiting Fostoria 3-2 in a makeup match on Senior Night Tuesday evening, May 12 at the War Memorial Park courts.

The Bulldog netters fell to 3-8 after losing their rematch with the Redmen netters in the regular season finale.

Ada recently edged Fostoria on the road 3-2 on May 6.

Ada seniors Justin Bowden, Sam Crawford, Alyssa Nau, Peyton Karsten, Madi Rowland and Cayden Wise were recognized before the match.

“We were really competitive,” said first-year Bulldog head coach Shelleigh Alexander. “It is hard to beat a team of similar caliber twice in a week.

“It was senior night for Justin and Sam in our starting seven,” said the coach. “I encouraged them to have some fun in their last night playing on the purple.”

Ada senior Justin Bowden won a close three-set 6-3, 0-6, 6-3 battle at first singles over junior Landon Sherman.

“Bowden was the bright spot in singles,” she said. 

Bulldog junior Brandon Prater lost at second singles by a 6-0, 6-1 tally to senior Gulmaro Vargas-Tovias.  

“A lot of Brandon’s games went to deuce,” Alexander noted. “I thought he played smart tennis and kept a lot of balls in play. He had some really nice rallies.”

Prater used a slice backhand quite a bit to prolong some long rallies.

Hustling Bulldog junior Lawson Klingler fell 6-3, 6-1 at third singles to senior Jayson Phillips.  

“The Fostoria kid hit some really good groundstrokes at third singles,” said Alexander.

At second doubles, the Ada junior tandem of Brooklynn Andreasen and Jaylin St. Laurent rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Chase Daniels and Jason Hasse. 

“They are a fun duo to watch, they played smart tennis to earn a W,” offered Alexander. “Those girls are competitive.”

At first doubles, Ada senior Sam Crawford and freshman Lucy Carter lost a tight 6-4, 6-4 bout to the Fostoria tandem of Reece Blair and Royal Ferguson.

“They played a close match,” said Alexander.

Ada plays in the sectional tournament at UNOH on Thursday in Lima. Bowden, Prater and Klingler will compete in the singles tournament. 

The Crawford/Carter and Andreasen/St. Laurent tandems will play in the doubles flight.

Those who win at least two matches and advance to semifinal play Saturday will qualify for the Port Clinton district tournament next week.