By Kevin Cunningham
After dominating Rock Valley Conference play throughout the regular season, the Whitewater Whippets’ girls tennis team ran into tough competition once WIAA Tournament play began on Monday.
Running into the No. 1-ranked team in the state, Edgewood, would prove to be one obstacle. Amanda Kraayvanger won her first match against McFarland’s No. 2 singles player, and then lost to a player from Edgewood.
Ali Ketterhagen and Emma Stutzman at No. 2 doubles and the duo of Izzy Zahn and Andi Markham at No. 3 doubles also advanced to the second round but fell short as well.
The Whippets’ No. 1 doubles team of Sally Hixson and Alli Sedmak moved onto the Sectional rounds after defeating East Troy (6-2, 6-2).
Sectionals were scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Play will also take place on Thursday before the WIAA State Tournament is set to start on Oct. 15.
Due to press time falling during Sectional rounds, results will appear in next week’s issue.
Kickers find their groove
The last time the Whippets played East Troy, the two teams tied. Head coach Rene Menager said that time of possession would be the key in the rematch.
In the 23rd minute, Roberto Navejas found the back of the net for the only goal in the first half, giving Whitewater the 1-0 lead heading into halftime. Then in the second, Xhonaton Shahollari took over.
Shahollari scored two goals, pushing the lead to 3-0, while the defense kept East Troy in check the entire game for the 3-0 victory. Jimmy Cushman recorded two saves in the first half, while Michael Fernandez played the second half and made seven saves.
The Whippets are now 5-2-1 in conference and 6-4-2 overall heading into its next game beginning at 6:30 p.m. against Edgerton on Thursday at Whitewater High School.
Runners get Top 10s
On Saturday, the Whippets’ boys and girls cross country teams participated in the Burlington Chocolate City Invitational, featuring 14 girls teams and 16 boys teams competing. On the girls side, Whitewater took home a fourth-place finish.
Out of 93 girls running, sophomore Allison Barrett led the Whippets with a time of 19:37, good for seventh. It was the first time in Barrett’s career she had ran under the 20:00 mark. Seniors Sarah Ziolkowski and Andrea Sandoval finished 13th and 15th with times of 20:12 and 20:15, respectively.
For the boys, junior Brodie Runez had the best time of his career, running a 16:29, good for fourth-place. Fellow junior Jimmy King took 30th with his time of 17:30. The race featured 107 boys.
Jacob Korf (38th), Connor Laue (45th) and Justin Brantmeier (79th) would round out the Whippets’ team score, giving them a ninth-place finish.
The next meet for Whitewater is set for a 3:30 p.m. start on Oct. 15 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
