Tennis team heads off to state meet

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SIOUX FALLS — The 2017 State Girls’ Tennis Tournament, which begins today and continues through Saturday in Sioux Falls and Brandon, will undoubtedly be a learning experience for the Huron Tigers.
With a lineup that consists of mainly sophomores and freshman, Huron coach Leah Branaugh is looking for her team to put forth its best effort and, hopefully, gain from the experience.
“I am hoping for the girls to win the matches that they are capable of winning and keep the matches competitive against the higher seeded teams,” said Branaugh, who is in her first season as head coach for the Tigers. “For many of the girls it will be their first state tournament, and I want them to enjoy the experience so next year they know what to expect and how they need to play and improve to be successful.
“I hope the girls will remain positive and work on the things that coach Rachel Kary and I have had them work on throughout the season,” she said. “Many of these girls are capable of beating players seeded ahead of them if they go out and play, move their feet, stay positive, and don’t over think things.”
Freshman Kayla Harvey will be the highest seeded player entering the tournament for Huron. She has put together a 13-12 record this season in the third flight singles, where she is seeded 10th in the 23-player field.
“She does have a win over the No. 7 seed and has played the No. 3 seed close both times we have played them this season,” Branaugh said of Harvey. “If she plays well, she could find herself finishing in the top 8, which she is more than capable of.”
The rest of the lineup has struggled to collect wins this season for the Tigers, but Branaugh is hoping the experienced they have gained throughout the season will pay some dividends during the state tournament.
“This team has been improving all season.  We have a good group of girls who want to improve every day,” she said. “They are starting to learn some strategy and play with confidence.”

Filling the singles lineup for Huron will be freshman Audrey Rubish, who is 1-19  at No. 1; sophomore Megan Clark, who is 4-18 at No. 2; sophomore Abby Thomas, who is 1-24 at No. 4; freshman Jaycee Clark, who is 1-23 at No. 5; and eighth-grader Madelynn Lord, who is 0-9 at No. 6.
“I was so happy for Abby Thomas to beat a girl at ESD that she had previously been beaten by twice this season. She played the way she was capable of and stayed positive throughout,” Branaugh said. “I also feel that Audrey Rubish is having a great season and keeping positive while being faced with playing the best players in the state in every match. That is difficult for anyone to do, especially a 9th grader.”
Also seeing time at the varsity level this season for the Tigers was foreign exchange student Alice Pisacane.
Huron’s doubles teams have combined for just three wins this season, but Branaugh is looking for them to continue to build on the momentum they have achieved heading into the state tournament.
“I feel our No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams have really picked it up here at the end of the season and are getting closer to beating teams that they have previously lost to,” she said. “They are starting to understand the game more and how important it is to keep a positive attitude throughout the entire match, even if they get down.”
Rubish and Harvey make up the No. 1 doubles team for the Tigers, while Megan Clark and Abby Thomas for the No. 2 doubles team and have a pair of victories. Jaycee Clark and Lord fill the No. 3 doubles spot.
No matter how this year’s state tournament turns out for Huron, it should lend itself to the future success of the team.   
“We didn’t come away with as many victories as I would have liked this season, but the girls have all improved and for the most part have a great attitude during practice and matches,” Branaugh said. “They are a very young and inexperienced team and will continue to improve.  I have had many coaches compliment the girls and how they should be on their way to becoming great players in the coming years.”
Matches will be held at McKennan Park, Sioux Falls Washington and Brandon Valley with play beginning at 8 a.m. the first two days at all locations.
The first and second flight singles, along with the first flight doubles will be played at McKennan Park. Sioux Falls Washington will host the third and fourth flight singles, along with the second flight doubles, whle the fifth and sixth flight singles and third flight doubles will be played at Brandon Valley.
All matches on Saturday will be played at McKennan Park starting at 8 a.m.
In the case of inclement weather, play will be moved indoors at Huether Family Match Pointe, Great Life at Woodlake and the Country Club of Sioux Falls.

Photo:

Members of the Huron High School tennis team who will be playing in the Class “AA” State meet, beginning today in Brandon Valley, include from left: Megan Clark, Madelynn Lord, Jaycee Clark, Audrey Rubish and Abby Thomas. Not pictured are Kayla Harvey and Alice Pisacane.

Photo by Mike Carroll/Plainsman