OTTAWA —The Ottawa girls tennis team honored its six seniors before Thursday afternoon’s Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference dual match against Sycamore here at the OHS courts.
Seniors Cassie Claus, Ellie Gallagher, Bergen Johnson, Megan Orsini, Natalie Tabor and Aubry Theissen all played well on the day, on which the Lady Pirates topped the Spartans 4-1 to improve to 9-1 in dual matches on the season.
“This senior group has been a lot of fun to coach,” said Ottawa coach Steve Johnson. “Each one has improved whether it be just this season or all four years in some cases.
“We would have liked to get all five matches today, but I was happy with how all the girls played and competed.”
The No. 1 doubles team of Gallagher and junior Regan O’ Fallon cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Sycamore’s Emma Keicher and Margaret McConnaughay.
“It really doesn’t feel like this is my senior year … it still feels like I have three years left to go. I guess it hasn’t hit me yet that this is my last season of high school tennis,” said Gallagher, who partnered with Katie McGraw her first three years. “Regan and I are good friends and we had played some tournaments together over the summer. We have really gotten used to each other on the court this season and are hoping to continue playing like we have been. It has been a great fit. We could have actually played better today, but we’ll just work on playing better next time out.”
“Ellie is the third doubles partner I’ve had in three years, so transitioning this season playing with her was pretty easy,” said O’Fallon. “I think we’ve have had a good season so far and we just want to keep it going.”
At No. 2 doubles, Bergen Johnson and Marta Johnson picked up a 6-1, 6-0 triumph over the Spartans’ Kylie Plagakis and Laramie O’Sullivan, while the No. 3 twosome of Claus and Theissen dropped a hard-fought 5-7, 7-6 (4), 10-5 decision to Alyssa Cooley and Clare Regelbrugge.
“I think there are always going to be matches like ours today … ones that are close, but you just don’t end up winning,” said Claus. “We had a really good first set, had the lead (5-2) in the second and lost, and then just came up short in the tie-breaker. We are getting better with each match and today I feel we played well, but it just didn’t turn into a win.”
“This is only the third time we have been doubles partners and we sometimes have to get into our groove the first few games,” said Theissen. “We did that today, but we are still working on keeping the momentum going once we get it … This is the only sport I play, so to have ceremony with all of our tennis family here was cool. It’s nice to be part of a great team like we have. The season isn’t over yet, but for me, it’s been a really fun four years of playing tennis here at Ottawa.”
In singles play, freshman No.1 Ella Marvel topped Lizzie Egerman 6-2, 6-2, while at No. 2, Tabor rolled to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Abby Krull.
Orsini and her partner Emily Walker also earned a 9-7 doubles win in an exhibition match.
The Lady Pirates will next take the courts Tuesday at Rochelle before hosting a make-up contest against Sterling on Wednesday.
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