Magnolia Tennis State Berth Fell Short In Regionals
Magnolia’s run at a state berth fell a little short as the Eagles’ number-one player, Logan Riggs, opened the regional with a win over the Weirton Madonna’s top player, but lost to the Oak Glen’s top players in the second round last Thursday and Friday in the Regionals in Fairmont.
However, Riggs and Brittany Brown came on top in their first doubles match to St. Marys, but fell just a little short against North Marion in their second doubles match. Brown then lost a tough battle against the Berkley Springs number two, 6-8 in her first match in the regional.
Ashley DeMarco won 8-1 in her first singles match against Ritchie County, but lost to Keyser’s number two player in the second round.
DeMarco and Whitney Yoho beat a very good Berkley Spring team, but dropped to Oak Glen’s top doubles team. Yoho, lost her singles match in a barn-burner, 6-8.
The Eagles third doubles team of Raegon Hale and Clara Moore had a bye to open the regional, but fell to the North Marion’s second team to end regional play.
“We were disappointed with the outcome, but had to take note that it was an improvement from the year,” said Magnolia Coach Jesse Robinson. “The girls are already excited about next season, and how they have time to grow. We would have loved to make it to states, but didn’t quite have the experience that most teams have.
Most of the teams at regionals were seniors, and Logan will be our only senior returning next year. She got a lot of compliments from other high schools at regionals on her serves and forehand and they all said she has potential.”
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Logan Riggs, a junior at Magnolia, used a powerful back-hand and a nice net game to defeat her No. 1 St. Marys player Hannah Williams, 8-1 in a tennis match at Bruce Park on April 26.
She lost to her earlier in the year in a scrimmage, but learned a valuable lesson and defeated her soundly the second time around.
Tennis is new again at Magnolia, and with Logan on the top of her game as a freshman, watch out.
She along with No. 2 singles Brittany Brown won their doubles match to Williams and Maya Turner of St Marys by the score of 8-4.
The Lady Eagles weren’t done as Brown defeated Emily Powell 8-4, while Ashley DeMarco, soundly defeated Ashley Powell, 8-1.
Logan, Bethany and Ashley’s teammate Whitney Yoho lost a close match to Mayla Turner, 5-8.
Yoho came back along with teammate DeMarco to win 8-6 in their doubles match.
But, Raegon Hale and Clara Moore lost 4-8 to Emilie Kelley and Skylar Bills of St Marys.
“The girls lost soundly to St Marys earlier in the season during a scrimmage, but the girls have worked really hard to fine-tune their game, and they all are getting better every day,” said MHS Head Coach Jesse Robinson. “We start and are ready for regionals Thursday and Friday at Fairmont State University, and if it rains will be in Morgantown at the indoor courts.”