Hearts Drop Match On Senior Night, Shoes Unbeaten

Effingham High School dropped a 5-4 loss to Robinson during its Senior Night celebration Thursday.

"We lost another incredibly close match," said EHS Coach Erik Williamson. "We began the night with singles, splitting 3-3."

The Hearts' Kyra Bannister picked up the No. 3 victory, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5. Megan Allen then won at No. 4, 6-3, 6-1 while Lauryn Douthit took the No. 5 spot, 6-1, 6-3.

"After the singles were finished we honored the seniors and their parents for their hard work and dedication to Hearts tennis for their career," said Coach Williamson. "Our seniors were Duda Esteves, who competed one year and is an exchange student from Fortaleza, Brazil, Jade Spencer, one year; Mallory Logan, two years; Miranda Johnson, four years; Megan Allen, four years and Emma Kull, four years.

"The team presented the seniors with gifts as well as having a small meal for the team and families."

After the seniors were honored, the two teams resumed doubles play. The Hearts lone win came at No. 2 as Chloe Funneman and Douthit combined to win.

"It has been such a privilege to have a great group of seniors to coach and watch grow into the players they have become," said Williamson. "Even though the results weren't what they hoped for, they played to the very end, fighting hard for every point. I am so very proud of each and every one of them."

At Effingham

Singles

No. 1 -- Katie Beals (R) defeated Emma Kull (E), 6-3, 6-2

No. 2 -- Regan Stephens (R) defeated Chloe Funneman (E), 6-1, 6-4

No. 3 -- Kyra Bannister (E) defeated Lillie Hargis (R), 6-0, 4-6, 7-5

No. 4 -- Megan Allen (E) defeated Abbie Blunier (R), 6-3, 6-1

No. 5 -- Lauryn Douthit (E) defeated Abby Slier (R), 6-1, 6-3

No. 6 -- Aviana Beckes (R) defeated Skyler Schafer (E), 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Doubles

No. 1 -- Stephens-Madi Buchanan (R) defeated Kull-Allen (E), 1-6, 7-6(8), 6-4

No. 2 -- Funneman-Douthit (E) defeated Blunier-Beckes (R), no score listed

No. 3 -- Beals-Jordan Mikeworth (R) defeated Miranda Johnson-Mallory Logan (E), 6-4, 6-2

At Teutopolis

Teutopolis just keeps pounding opponents and adding to its win total. Coach Kaye Kimpling's squad blanked Newton 9-0 to improve to a perfect 12-0 on the season.

In singles, Kaitlin Deters and Christa Schwinke both won 6-1, 6-0. Lauren Hemmen took her match 6-1, 6-1 while Audra Breer won 6-2, 6-1. Molly Smith and Julia Hardiek went 6-0, 6-1 each for their wins.

In doubles, Hemmen and Smith combined to win 6-2, 6-1 while K. Deters and Nicole Deters claimed 6-2, 6-0 wins. Hardiek and Callie Meinhart took their match 6-0, 6-0.

At Teutopolis

Singles

No. 1 -- Kaitlin Deters (TT) defeated Kathryn Helmink (N), 6-1, 6-0

No. 2 -- Christa Schwink (TT) defeated Chelsea Black (N), 6-1, 6-0

No. 3 -- Lauren Hemmen (TT) defeated Cynthia Griffith (N), 6-1, 6-1

No. 4 -- Audra Breer (TT) defeated  Bridgett Kaufman (N), 6-2, 6-1

No. 5 -- Molly Smith (TT) defeated Syidney Zumbahlen (N), 6-0, 6-1

No. 6 -- Julia Hardiek (TT) defeated Lesley Woods (N), 6-0, 6-1

Doubles

No. 1 -- Hemmen-Smith (TT) defeated Griffith-Kaufman (N), 6-2, 6-1

No. 2 -- K. Deters-Nicole Deters (TT) defeated Zumbahlen-Woods (N), 6-2, 6-0

No. 3 -- Hardiek-Callie Meinhart (TT) defeated Black-Arianne Goss (N), 6-0, 6-0