SJO tennis team faced early adversity with the loss to Paris but eyes improvement as season moves on.
PARIS - Last week, St. Joseph-Ogden’s girls tennis team ran into a determined Paris squad, falling 7-0 on the road in a non-conference matchup that saw the Tigers rebound from an early-season loss with a dominant performance.
The Spartans entered the match looking to build on their season-opening win over Maroa-Forsyth nine days earlier. That 9-2 road victory had showcased the team’s depth and early-season form. But against Paris, now 2-1, SJO struggled to find rhythm across both singles and doubles play.
At No. 1 singles, Samantha Kelso battled through long rallies but ultimately fell to Paedyn Keys of Paris, 6-3, 6-2. Madison Farber kept the second court competitive, pushing Kaidence Eveland in both sets before dropping a 6-3, 6-3 decision.
Audrie Helfrich and Avarie Dietiker faced steady pressure at No. 3 and No. 4 singles, respectively, as Paris leaned into aggressive net play and consistent returns to take both matches in straight sets.
In doubles, SJO’s top pair of Sophia Schmitz and Shelby Warnes couldn’t hold off the Tigers’ Bella Moreschi and Myah Bartos, falling 6-1, 6-0. Ava Midkiff and Maddie Wells dropped their No. 2 match 6-0, 6-1, while Kenley Ray and Karleigh Spain closed out the day with a 6-3, 6-2 loss at No. 3.
Despite the setback, the Spartans move to 1-1 on the season and will look to regroup. Next up, SJO travels to Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on Monday, Sept. 8, followed by a conference test at Pontiac on Sept. 18.
