Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Sophia Schlienz of St. Edmond returns a shot on Tuesday at Butler Courts. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The three-time defending North Central Conference St. Edmond girls tennis team opened play with a convincing 9-0 victory over Clear Lake on Tuesday at Butler Courts.

Despite losing several key players from this past spring, the Gaels did not miss a step in their debut. Ava Andrew, Ava Underberg, Abby Huss, Chloe Palmer, Olivia Andrew and Sophia Schlienz scored lopsided wins in singles play.

“I was super proud of the way the girls came out and executed,” SEHS head coach Shawn Neverman said. “It was nice to get that first win and get our season started on the right foot.

“We had girls playing in new positions, but they didn’t let that bother or distract them — they just went out and played the kind of tennis we have seen over the past few years.”

In doubles action, the tandems of Underberg and Palmer, Ava Andrew and Huss, and Olivia Andrew and Schlienz completed the sweep.

St. Edmond dropped just 11 games total in singles and six in doubles.

“Sophia did a great job for her first matches,” Neverman said. “She is just a strong natural athlete, and she really played well.

“I thought Ava (Andrew) handled the position of No. 1 very well by going out and setting the tone for the team.”

Earning junior varsity wins for the Gaels in doubles were Lucy Midtling and Nina Smith, Maggie Flaherty and Lizzy Tiernan, and Betsy and Mary Ella Gruver.

St. Edmond will now prepare for a matchup with Carroll Kuemper at home on Thursday evening.