Trojans host McFarland on Monday
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
The first two weeks of the 2017 campaign certainly have been busy for the East Troy girls tennis team.
And successful.
East Troy continued its sprint through the early part of its schedule over the weekend with a 4-1 record at the two-day Altoona Tournament.
The Trojans took a 12-2 overall record into a home quadrangular Monday morning against Brown Deer, Edgerton and Lake Mills. Results of that matchup were unavailable this week.
Longtime East Troy coach Dave Lindow was pleased with his team’s effort on its weekend road trip.
“It’s a great trip for our program,” he said. “The kids bonded well and everyone got plenty of tennis in. We did very well in tie-breaks, and that is a good sign for a young team.
“Our veteran players really played well up there, and our young kids are coming along great. I’m very proud of this team on how well they bond and cheer for each other on and off the court.”
East Troy posted victories of 5-2 over Baldwin-Woodville, 7-0 over Bloomer, 4-3 over Chippewa Falls and 4-3 over New Richmond. The Trojans’ only setback came in a hard-fought 4-3 decision to host Altoona.
East Troy’s No. 1 doubles duo of juniors Mackenzie Lindow and Erin Rice posted a 4-1 record, while the junior tandem of Allison Slusar and Belle Verbeten were 4-0. Senior Milena Nelson was 4-0 at No. 3 singles.
The only setback for Lindow-Rice, who finished fourth at last year’s Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 State Tournament, came in a 6-4, 3-6 (5-10) decision to Altoona.
Also picking up multiple victories were junior Mikayla Lamping and freshman Jessica Tess, 2-0 at No. 2 doubles, and the team of sophomore Syd Raddeman and junior Paige Metcalf at No. 3 doubles, 2-0.
Other wins came from Tess, 1-2 at No. 1 singles; Lamping, 1-2 at No. 2 singles; Radeemann, 1-0 at No. 3 singles; Metcalf, 1-1 at No. 4 singles; Nelson and senior Maddie Peters, 1-0 at No. 3 doubles; and Peters, 2-2 at No. 4 singles.
Prior to the road trip, the Trojans posted a 2-1 record at a home quadrangular last Tuesday. Westosha Central was 3-0, Wilmot was 1-2 and Edgerton 0-3.
Changing focus
Monday’s quad marked the final multi-team event for the Trojans until the RVC Tournament later this fall – and also signals the time when Lindow will start to alter the plan a bit.
“Our schedule is very front-loaded, and we came out of the gate running this year,” he said. “These kids worked really hard in the summer clinic, and we are seeing the benefits of that.
“I could not be happier with the progress of this team early in the season. After (Monday), we can get to work to improve ourselves and make a run at the conference title.”
East Troy continued its week Wednesday with a home dual against Elkhorn. The Trojans open RVC dual meet action Aug. 28 against visiting McFarland at 4:15 p.m.
