For the third straight year, the senior trio of Lauren Lindow, Katie Metcalf, and Sophia Rondeau finished their season on the podium at state. Lindow placed fourth in the singles draw while Metcalf and Rondeau finished runner-up in doubles.
For the senior trio it was their third straight podium finish.
“All three of these girls wanted to get back on the podium really bad,” head coach Dave Lindow said. “I’m proud of them for finishing strong.”
East Troy has reached the podium seven out of the last eight years.
“It’s been a great run for our program over the last eight years,” coach Lindow said. “I’m really proud of our girls for representing our school and our conference.”
In the singles draw, Lindow defeated Adel Schneider of St. Mary’s Catholic 6-1, 6-0 in her first match after a bye. She defeated Maggie McGinnis of Appleton Xavier 6-1, 6-1 in the third round to secure her podium finish.
She then faced last year’s state champion Lily Olson of Madison Edgewood and lost 2-6, 0-6. It was a rematch of the state finals a year ago. Olson went on to win her second straight state championship. In the third-place match, Lindow lost to Olivia Pethan of Fox Valley Lutheran 6-3, 3-6, 10-12. She had previously defeated Pethan in the state tournament as a sophomore and junior.
Lindow finished her career with a 109-13 record. All 13 losses came to state medal winners. She was All-State in tennis all four years. She medaled three times at state finishing fifth as a sophomore, second as a junior, and fourth as a senior.
“I’m definitely going to miss watching her play,” coach Lindow said. “I loved her toughness and how she competed. She is the best tennis player I’ve ever coached.”
Doubles take second
In the doubles draw, Metcalf and Rondeau survived a close first round match after their bye. They defeated Olivia Bergstrom and Eva Schneider of St, Mary’s Catholic 3-6, 6-3, 10-8.
“It gave us a real scare,” coach Lindow said. “I’m proud of them for gaining the composer and finished out the match with a win.”
In the third round, they defeated a familiar foe in conference rival Sylvia Fox and Ashley Ulset of Edgerton 6-2, 6-2. Up next was another conference team. The team of Madeline Dehnert and Gracie Niebler of Jefferson had played mostly singles during the year but teamed up in the post season. They Trojans defeated them 6-2, 6-3. In the finals, Maia Samuelson and Ava Meyer won 6-4, 6-1 to win the championship.
“They played a great match in the finals,” coach Lindow said. “NBE has been the best team all year and they proved it.”
Metcalf and Rondeau finished their careers with a 100-18 record. They were All-State in tennis three years. They medaled at state three times finishing fourth as sophomores, and runner-up as both junior and seniors.
“What an outstanding career these two have had,” coach Lindow said. “They came in as freshman and took the No. 1 doubles spot and never looked back. They will truly be missed.”
Lindow loses 13 of his top 15 players for next season.
“This will be an entirely different team next year,” he said. “We will approach it the same. It will be up to all of us to keep our program at the top level.
“Don’t count us out.”
