PHOTOS by Mark Andreasen / CLICK to enlarge

By Cort Reynolds

ADA__The Ada High School tennis team lost to visiting Celina 5-0 on Saturday, April 25.

The youthful Ada netters dropped to 0-5 after the Bulldog battle defeat. Celina improved to 5-5 with the win.

The Bulldogs won the ensuing junior varsity match, 4-1.

“It was good to play so many matches and get everyone touches on the ball; we need more experience,” said first-year Ada head coach Shelleigh Alexander. 

“Five of my seven players today are playing their first year of tennis,” she continued. “We had five of our kids out today due to the school play, so most of them are playing up from their normal positions.

“Our players are getting better,” Alexander added. 

Playing at first singles, Ada junior Brandon Prater lost to junior Josh Schoen by a 6-2, 6-1 count.

“Brandon played a lot of close games, and he is close to getting over the hump,” said the coach.

Junior Lawson Klingler was defeated at second singles 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 by Jon Avers.

“I think Lawson got a bit deflated after losing the first set tiebreaker,” offered Alexander. “He is very improved.”

Freshman Lucy Carter made her debut at third singles and lost to senior Logan Sapp 6-0, 6-2. “After she got some nerves out, Lucy played better,” said Alexander.

At first doubles, the Bulldog duo of juniors Brooklynn Andreasen and Jaylin St. Laurent fell to Carson Weitzel and Austin Seferry 6-0, 6-0.

“Brooklynn and Jaylin played better than the score indicates,” said Alexander.

Senior Madi Rowland and junior newcomer Kaytlin Lambert were defeated at second doubles by Carson Kell and Nick Johnson 6-2, 6-0.

In the JV match, Carter and Prater teamed up to win a pro set doubles bout 8-6.

Andreasen and St. Laurent combined to win their JV doubles match. Senior Alyssa Nau won a JV singles pro set over Celina’s Liam Stewart. 

Ada seniors Peyton Karsten and Nau also teamed up to win a reserve doubles match.

Ada visits tough local rival Bluffton (6-2-1) on Monday, April 27.