Sara Kearney hits the ball back over the net during her doubles game against the Urbana tennis team with partner Ella Dietiker. The pair were back in action together Tuesday after Monday's road loss to the Tigers.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
URBANA - Spartans Ainsley Rhoten and Olivia Getty pulled out wins in singles play at Atkins Tennis Center on Tuesday against Watseka. When the ball fuzz had settled, St. Joseph-Ogden came up short, losing to the Warriors, 7-2.
Rhoten defeated Watseka's Annika Greene in straight sets, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Meanwhile, playing on the #5 court, Getty battled Warriors' Rose Koester in a marathon, three-setter, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 10-4.
The Spartans are back in action this Thursday at Centennial High School.
Final Score:
St. Joseph-Ogden 2 - Watseka - 7Singles:
Sarah Parsons, Watseka def. Samantha Kelso, (SJO), 6-2 , 6-1. Marisa Clark, Watseka def. Madison Clampitt, (SJO), 6-3, 6-1. Skyla Buwalda, Watseka def. Madison Farber, (SJO), 6-3 , 6-0. Ainsley Rhoten, (SJO) def. Annika Greene, Watseka, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Olivia Getty, (SJO) def. Rose Koester, Watseka, 7-6 (4), 6-1 , 10-4. Reagan Anderson, Watseka def. Audrey Benoit, (SJO), 6-3 , 6-1.
Doubles:
Sarah Parsons/Kiaria Wright, Watseka def. MaKennah Hamilton/Lily Rice, (SJO), 6-2 , 7-5. Marisa Clark/Skyla Buwalda, Watseka def. Ella Dieteker/Sara Kearney, (SJO), 7-5 , 6-2. Annika Greene, Watseka/Lili Sorenson, Watseka def. Claire Hartman/Arely Castro (SJO), 6-3 , 6-1.
MAROA - St. Joseph-Ogden's Ainsley Rhoten won eight games in her match at #4 singles against Maroa-Forsyth's Addison Stacey. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to post an opening day win for the Spartans at the Fairview Park Tennis Complex in Maroa on Thursday.
Rhoten, who lost 6-4, 6-4, led SJO in the 9-0 loss to the host Trojans.
"The team played absolutely great, but we fell short," said head coach Kevin Martlage. "There's a lot to build upon from tonight, and I was extremely happy with our efforts and what I saw."
SJO's Sonia Patel won five games in her match against the Trojans' Emma Knecht, while Madison Farber secured four games in her match against Maroa-Forsyth's Riley Hackleman, three in the first set and one in the second.
Senior Samy Kelso leads St. Joseph-Ogden with a 5-3 record, guiding a balanced Spartans tennis team built on depth and commitment.
URBANA - St. Joseph-Ogden senior Samy Kelso has become the anchor of the Spartans’ girls’ tennis team, showcasing a season defined by growth, resilience and mental toughness.
With a 5-3 record, Kelso has delivered some of the team’s most notable performances, including a Sept. 10 victory over Schlarman standout Reagan Troglia, 6-2, 6-1. Eight days later, she squared off with Pontiac’s state-qualifier Olivia Masching, battling hard in a 6-2, 6-1 loss that highlighted the high level of competition she continues to face. For Kelso, both matches were steppingstones in what has become one of her strongest campaigns yet.
Kelso added another notch to her winning record this week against Decatur St. Teresa, defeating Vinathi Marri in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 (4). The victory wasn’t easy, as Marri forced Kelso into a tiebreaker in the second set, but the senior dug deep and held her composure to seal the win.
St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Kevin Martlage praised her ability to embrace the team’s mantra of “play it one point at a time” after Tuesday's marathon match at Atkins Tennis Center.
He said Kelso’s mental strength has allowed her to rally in tough moments, turning what might have been losses in past seasons into wins. “She has also honestly become an absolutely great tennis player that loves the sport and is driven by continuing to get better and better each day,” Martlage said.
While Kelso has drawn much of the spotlight, the Spartans have seen depth across their lineup. Lily Rice continues to solidify the No. 2 singles slot, topping Decatur’s Brooke Nelson 6-3, 6-4, with steady serves and quick returns. At No. 5, Avarie Dietiker delivered a steady performance, winning 6-1, 7-5, while Nora Buckley powered through a two-set win at No. 6, showing the importance of closing out long rallies.
Though losses came at the No. 3 and No. 4 singles spots, teammates Audrie Helfrich and Maddie Wells continue to gain valuable experience against strong competition. Martlage noted that both players have made strides in their confidence on the court, even in defeat.
The team’s progress in the latter half of the season comes from strong chemistry, individual commitment, and off-season skill development by returning players.
SJO’s doubles squads made a clean sweep against Decatur, providing the perfect capstone to the 7-2 team win. The pairings of Ainsley Rhoten and Shelby Warns, Madison Farber and Kenley Ray, and Sophie Schmitz and Karleigh Spain all secured victories, with Schmitz and Spain closing out their match in dominating fashion, 6-1, 6-0.
Rhoten and Warns pulled away in the second set to finish 7-5, 6-2, while Farber and Ray battled through a tight tiebreaker to secure a 7-6 (4) victory in the second set. The effort reflected the Spartans’ team-first mentality, one that emphasizes spreading opportunities across the lineup and giving every player a chance to compete under pressure.
Ava Midkiff lines up a shot while playing at #2 doubles in St. Joseph-Ogden's against Urbana back in early September. The Spartan dropped the road match 6-3 to the Tigers. The two teams face each other again on Monday at Blair Park for a season rematch.
The team’s progress in the latter half of the season comes from strong chemistry, individual commitment, and off-season skill development by returning players. Martlage pointed out that from starters to alternates, veterans to neophytes, everyone works hard in practice to improve. Unlike a lot of high school teams, SJO doesn't rely on the strongest six players for every lineup.
"Every person on the team also works hard in practice and they continue to advance their ability to play a sport many of them never played before joining the team," said head coach Kevin Martlage. "I also feel that an 'X Factor' is our approach to playing 12 different players each and every match instead of doubling up the same 6 players between singles and doubles."
While it hasn’t always translated to a winning record, Martlage's goal is to build long-term success for his players to continue tennis year-round. "This has helped to prepare them for success while giving them important court time and confidence," he said.
Spartans take five of six singles matches in road victory. Veterans Rice, Farber, and Helfrich start the season with stellar performances.
DECATUR — The St. Joseph-Ogden girls tennis team opened its season with a convincing 7-2 win on the road at St. Teresa, showing balance across the lineup in both singles and doubles play.
The Spartans secured five of six singles matches to set the tone early. Lily Rice, Madison Farber, Ainsley Rhoten, Avarie Dietiker and Audrie Helfrich all collected victories, with Helfrich cruising to an 8-0 sweep at No. 6 singles.
St. Joseph-Ogden added two more wins in doubles competition. The pairing of Kenley Ray and Karleigh Spain battled to an 8-6 victory at the No. 2 position, while Sophia Schmitz and Shelby Warnes delivered an 8-3 win at No. 3 doubles.
St. Teresa earned its two points at the top of the lineup. Vinathi Marri defeated Samantha Kelso 8-4 at No. 1 singles, while Brooke Nelson and Nora Jerabek combined to take an 8-2 win over Ava Midkiff and Maddie Wells at No. 1 doubles.
With the early road test behind them, the Spartans demonstrated the depth of their roster and strong season potential.
St. Joseph-Ogden girls tennis 2025 season opener, SJO vs St. Teresa tennis results, Illinois high school girls tennis scores, Spartans tennis Decatur road win, St. Joseph-Ogden high school sports news
The Spartans swept all singles and doubles matches. SJO's singles and doubles squads were flawless, taking key wins on the road.
GIBSON CITY - St. Joseph-Ogden picked up a road win at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on Tuesday, improving the Spartans' record to 3-2. The girls tennis team earned a clean 5-0 victory over the Falcons, sweeping all singles and doubles matches.
In singles play, No. 1 Samantha Kelso defeated Natalie Aberle, 8-6, while No. 2 Lily Rice earned an 8-0 win over Charity Miguel.
The Spartans’ doubles teams were equally impressive. No. 1 pair Ainsley Rhoten and Madison Farber took an 8-6 win, No. 2 duo Shelby Warnes and Kenley Ray defeated their opponents 9-7, and No. 3 team Karleigh Spain and Sophia Scmitz dominated 8-1. SJO’s strong teamwork and consistent play allowed the team to claim the decisive road victory over GCMS.
Urbana captures first win of season with 6-3 victory over St. Joseph-Ogden in girls tennis behind strong doubles play at Blair Park.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Urbana's Elianna Lee hits the ball back over the net while playing the second set of her match against St. Joseph-Ogden's Samantha Kelso in the Tigers' home match against the Spartans.
URBANA - Samantha Kelso broke through for her first singles win of the year, but Urbana High School claimed its first team victory of the season with a 6-3 triumph over St. Joseph-Ogden in a nonconference girls tennis match Tuesday at Blair Park.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden's Maddie Wells serves during her doubles match on Tuesday.
Kelso, playing No. 1 singles, ended a two-match skid with a grueling 6-4, 7-5 decision over Urbana’s Elianna Lee in a contest that lasted two hours and 25 minutes. The win gave the Spartans an early lift, but Urbana rallied behind depth and strong doubles play.
St. Joseph-Ogden senior Lily Rice also delivered, earning her second singles win of the fall by defeating Urbana’s Catherine Bretl 6-2, 6-0. Rice, who split four matches last season, is off to a promising start with an eye on a breakout year. At No. 6 singles, Kenley Ray gave the Spartans their third point, topping Alisa Aksimentyeva 6-4, 6-2.
Urbana’s lineup countered with steady performances from its underclassmen. Freshman Anyssa Tangmunarunkit rallied from a set down to outlast SJO’s Madison Farber 3-6, 6-3, 10-5. Her older sister, Ananyah Tangmunarunkit, added a 6-4, 6-2 win over Ainsley Rhoten at No. 3 singles. Gwen McLean rounded out Urbana’s singles victories with a 6-3, 6-1 result over Avarie Dietiker.
With the score tied 3-3 after singles play, Urbana swept the doubles courts to clinch the dual. Lee teamed with Ananyah Tangmunarunkit for a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 1, while Bretl and McLean secured No. 2 doubles with a 6-2, 6-1 victory. Anyssa Tangmunarunkit and Aksimentyeva closed it out with a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 3.
The victory improved Urbana to 1-1, while St. Joseph-Ogden slipped to 2-2. Urbana will host St. Thomas More on Tuesday, Sept. 9, before embarking on a three-match road swing. The Spartans hit the road Monday, Sept. 8, for a matchup with Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, followed by a Sept. 18 conference battle at Pontiac.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Tigers' Catherine Bretl and Gwen McLean go over game strategy during a changeover in the second set. The duo won their doubles match, defeating Maddie Wells and Ava Midkiff 6-2, 6-1.
TAGGED: Urbana girls tennis vs St. Joseph-Ogden, Illinois high school tennis results, Central Illinois girls tennis scores, St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans tennis schedule, Urbana Tigers tennis 2025 season
Lillian Hall hits the ball back over the next during her match at #2 singles against St.Joseph-Ogden's Madison Clampitt. Hall, a senior, defeated Clampitt, 6-3 , 6-7, 7-4.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
URBANA - The Urbana tennis team won five singles matches and all three doubles contests to defeat St. Joseph-Ogden at home Monday. The Tigers were dominant on all nine courts, winning the dual match 8-1.
All but one of the four matches decided by a third-set tiebreaker ended in Urbana's favor. Lillian Hall won the first set 6-3 and dropped the second set 7-6 in her match at No. 2 singles against SJO's Madison Clampitt. Taking an early lead in the tiebreaker, Hall secured the win with a 7-4 finish.
Coming off a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Danville’s Aliya Morgan, Urbana’s Ananyah Tangmunarunkit lost her first set against St. Joseph-Ogden’s Madison Farber at No. 3 singles, 6-3. Regrouping, she frustrated Farber with strong defensive play, running down good shots that could have been winners to take the second set 6-1. Tangmunarunkit, a sophomore, held on to an early lead to win 10-7 in the final set.
The Tigers also won both doubles matches that required an extra set.
Urbana’s Grace Coady and Lillian Hall pulled out the win at No. 1 doubles after defeating St. Joseph-Ogden duo Lily Rice and MaKennah Hamilton, 4-6, 6-2, 10-6.
Ananyah Tangmunarunkit, a sophomore, lines up a short-angled shot during her doubles match with partner Elianna Lee. The Tigers' doubles duo beat St. Joseph-Ogden’s Ella Dieteker and Sara Kearney in a three-setter. Tangmunarunkit's singles matches was also decided after three sets.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
At No. 2 doubles, Ananyah Tangmunarunkit and Elianna Lee played an exciting match against St. Joseph-Ogden’s Ella Dieteker and Sara Kearney. The Spartan pair won the first set 6-4, thanks to outstanding net play from Kearney. The Urbana duo regrouped, keeping the ball away from SJO’s best net player to win the second set 6-2. Tied at one set apiece, Urbana won the decider 10-5.
The Spartans’ only victory came at No. 1 singles. In a contentious battle, SJO’s Sami Kelso defeated Urbana’s Grace Coady 3-6, 7-5, 10-5.
The Tigers are back on the courts at Blair Park next Tuesday for their final home match of the season, hosting Central.
Final Score: Urbana 8 - St. Joseph-Ogden 1Singles:
Samantha Kelso, SJO def. Grace Coady, Urbana, 3-6, 6-5, 10-5; Lillian Hall, Urbana def. Madison Clampitt, SJO, 6-3 , 6-7, 7-4;
Ananyah Tangmunarunkit, Urbana def. Madison Farber, SJO, 4-6, 6-1, 10-7; Elianna Lee, Urbana def. Ainsley Rhoten, SJO, 6-2, 6-2; Gwen McLean, Urbana def. Audrie Helfrich, SJO, 6-0, 6-4; Amani Brown, Urbana def. Avarie Dietiker, SJO, 6-4, 6-2.
Doubles:
Grace Coady - Lillian Hall, Urbana def. Lily Rice - MaKennah Hamilton, SJO, 4-6, 6-2, 10-6; Ananyah Tangmunarunkit - Elianna Lee, Urbana def. Ella Dieteker - Sara Kearney, SJO, 4-6, 6-2, 10-5; Catherine Bretl - Amani Brown, Urbana def. Audrey Benoit - Claire Hartman, SJO, 7-6, 6-0.
Rhoten, who lost 6-4, 6-4, led SJO in the 9-0 loss to the host Trojans.
"The team played absolutely great, but we fell short," said head coach Kevin Martlage. "There's a lot to build upon from tonight, and I was extremely happy with our efforts and what I saw."
SJO's Sonia Patel won five games in her match against the Trojans' Emma Knecht, while Madison Farber secured four games in her match against Maroa-Forsyth's Riley Hackleman, three in the first set and one in the second.
