Hearts Take Second At Apollo Conference Tennis Meet

CHARLESTON --  Effingham High School finished second in the Apollo Conference Tennis Tournament Saturday.

Mattoon claimed the conference title with 61 points followed by the Hearts 40, Charleston 34, Mahomet-Seymour 27, Mount Zion 24 and Lincoln 12.

Effingham's Caroline Kull finished fourth in the No. 1 singles spot. The next four singles players for the Hearts captured second place. Riley Arend competed at No. 2 followed by Lydia Kull, Riley Seachrist and Eden Wendling, all garnering second place finishes. Chloe Aden competed at No. 6 and finished fifth.

In doubles, Efifngham's C. Kull-Arend captured second place at No. 1. L. Kull and Seachrist took second at No. 2. The Hearts' Gracie Kroenlein/Aila Woomer were second at the No. 3 doubles.

"We felt the pressure of defending our title from last year, but ended up facing the eventual winning school, Mattoon, in all but one of the nine different divisions," said EHS Coach Erik Williamson. "Our team had some experienced members and some girls experiencing the tournament for the first time and they've all left excited for their future opportunities and also what the remaining two weeks will have in store.

"Some notable matches included a three set final for our freshman duo of Gracie Kroenlein and Aila Woomer. A very tight score on the No. 5 singles final with sophomore Eden Wendling. All three girls had great showings for the first year varsity members. Seniors Caroline Kull and Riley Seachrist each had a three set match in singles to help us secure our second place finish. Chloe Aden came back after a loss to easily win her final match of the day. And, Riley Arend and Lydia Kull each were double runner-up finishes in both doubles and singles this weekend."

Reaching All-Conference were Rachel Thomas (Charleston), Caroline Kull (Effingham), Riley Arend (Effingham), Riley Seachrist (Effingham), Emily Stortzum (Mattoon), Tesse Huene (Mattoon), Haile Niemerg (Mattoon), Michelle Roberts (Mount Zion) and Annie Bao (Mahomet-Seymour).

Apollo Conference Tournament

Team Scores -- Mattoon (M) 61, Effingham (E) 40, Charleston (C) 34, Mahomet-Seymour (MS) 27, Mount Zion (MZ) 24, Lincoln (L) 12

Singles

No. 1

Caroline Kull -- fourth

Defeated Michelle Roberts (MZ), 7-5, 4-6, 10-4

Lost to Emily Stortzum (M), 6-4, 6-1

Lost to Annie Bao (MS), 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)

No. 2

Riley Arend -- second

First Round Bye

Defeated Mrinali Kesavadas, 6-3, 6-2

Lost to Tess Huene (M), 6-2, 6-2

No. 3

Lydia Kull, second

First Round Bye

Defeated Abby Geisler (C), 7-5, 6-3

Lost to Hallie Niemerg (M), 6-4, 6-1

No. 4

Riley Seachrist, Second

First round bye

Defeated Britta Slupski (MS), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

Lost to Caroline Davis (M), 6-4, 6-3

No. 5

Eden Wendling -- second

First round bye

Defeated Maggie Goetten (C), 6-3, 6-1

Lost to Kambelle Ashmore (M), 6-4, 7-5

No. 6

Chloe Aden -- fifth place

Lost to Mannika Kohli (MS), 6-3, 6-3

Defeated Krystina Slack (L), 6-0, 6-4

Doubles

No. 1

C. Kull-Arend -- second

First round bye

Defeated Roberts-Fromelt (MZ), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

Lost to Stortzum-Huene (M), 6-3, 6-2

No. 2

L. Kull-Seachrist, second

Defeated Fried-Slupski (MS), 6-3, 6-3

Defeated Baker-Lauper-Cook (MZ), 6-2, 6-3

Lost to Niemerg-Davis (M), 6-0, 6-1

No. 3

Kroenlein-Woomer (E), second

First round bye

Defeated Audrey-Allison Bradford (MZ), 6-4, 6-2

Lost to Ashmore-Gaza (M), 7-5, 4-6, 7-5