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Numbers are in Gaels’ favor

Messenger photo by Dana Becker Returning letterwinners for the St. Edmond girls tennis team are (left to right): Leah Hughett, Madi Tarbox and Haley Ledford.

Leah Applebee has the numbers this year for her St. Edmond girls tennis team.

However, Applebee also has plenty of inexperience to work with after graduating a group of seniors that comprised half of the varsity lineup.

Back to lead the way for the Gaels this spring will be seniors Leah Hughett and Madison Tarbox, along with junior Haley Ledford. They helped St. Edmond post a 4-4 record in dual action a season ago.

“It will be a good year for our experienced players to show the new ones how to play, strategize and be a positive addition to the team,” said Applebee, a former tennis player at the high school and college level herself. “We haven’t had much practice time yet because of the weather and spring break, but I have seen a lot of positive interaction on the team.”

Gone are Lily Timmerman, Rachael Willerth, Mackenzie Scacci, Yeon Ju Kim and Kaley Feser.

“Losing three varsity players a year after returning everyone is a big hit,” Applebee said. “But we have some great junior varsity players ready to step up and work to fill those spots.”

A total of 19 girls are out, with 14 of them having at least a season with the team under their belts. That includes senior Rachel Blair; juniors Brooklin Border, Alyssa Bottorff, Olivia Carlson, Jessica Deal, Katie Finnegan and Maddie Nemmers; and sophomores Sidney Messerly, Jacque Oberg, Molly Lennon and Zoe Assadipour.

Applebee has also seen an interest in competing at the state level from two Gael tennis players.

“I’m very excited to be working with a girl and a boy player for mixed doubles,” she said. “They came to me and wanted to work extra and try to make it to state as a mixed doubles team.

“To see players asking for the extra work and wanting to participate in more competitions is so awesome.”

St. Edmond opens on Thursday against Clear Lake at Butler courts. Regional play is scheduled to begin May 18.

2017 ST. EDMOND GIRLS TENNIS

Roster

Seniors

Leah Hughett, Rachel Blair, Madison Tarbox.

Juniors

Maddie Nemmers, Samantha Brown, Brooklin Border, Olivia Carlson, Jessica Deal, Katie Finnegan, Alyssa Bottorff, Haley Ledford.

Sophomores

Sidney Messerly, Jacque Oberg, Jillian Cosgrove, Molly Lennon, Zoe Assadipour.

Freshmen

Zoe Rodriguez, Jaden Jaggers, Taryn Feser.

Schedule

March 30 — Clear Lake.

April 7 — at Storm Lake; 11 — Iowa Falls-Alden; 18 — at Ballard; 24 — Boone; 25 — at Iowa Falls-Alden; 27 — at Carroll Kuemper; 29 — at Sioux City Heelan.

May 4 — Webster City; 13 — regionals.

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