Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Sarah Buck of Hughesville and Kylie Snyder of Milton compete for No. 1 singles in the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville.
HUGHESVILLE – In front of its home crowd Thursday afternoon, Hughesville (16-1) will shake off a loss to close out the regular season and begin the tournament by facing Milton in the quarterfinals of the District 4 Class AA team tournament. I was hoping for that. strong.
Seeking their third consecutive semifinal appearance, the Spartans looked unwavering, taking care of business on both ends of the court, dropping a total of two games through three wins. Sarah Buck secured a clean sweep with singles Court One and Annaka Bruder, and doubles duo Rebecca Roberts and Maya Snyder followed with gentlemanly sweeps as Hughesville defeated the Black Panthers 3-0. I broke it.
It was a strong rebound win and a strong start to the tournament. As the team looks to win its second district title in three years, the goals are clear as they prepare for what’s next.
“I think it definitely boosts our confidence a little bit because we want to go really far this year.” Rebecca Roberts said of the win: “It definitely makes us feel a lot better as a team and brings us all closer together because we all want that.”
“I was very happy with the response and how our No. 1 and No. 2 doubles responded to what we did the last four or five days.” Hughesville coach Craig Weaver said. “We’ve been working on that aspect of our game and it really showed today.”
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Georgia Randall of Hughesville and Emma King of Milton play No. 3 singles in the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville. We will compete against each other.
The name of the game was Hughesville singles No. 1 and No. 2 control. Sarah Buck and Annaka Bruder each played clean, calm matches that put their respective opponents, Kylie Snyder and Emily Waltman, in tough positions and continued to take advantage of them.
Each had to work to overcome their own shortcomings, with Buck double-faulting multiple times in the first set and Waltman hanging on with Bruder in multiple games in the first set. However, every time it looked like Waltman was closing in on victory, Bruder fought back with a 2-3 point onslaught to strengthen his lead. And Buck’s first-set mistakes didn’t faze her.
“I double-faulted a few times, but I think I played pretty well.” Buck said. “I think my shot placement was good. I feel pretty good (heading into the singles tournament).”
In doubles, both duos played with the same level of overall ability, with Gracie Budman and Talia Saka converting an early 3-2 lead into 6-2 and 3-0 leads by the time the match was called. Ta. On Doubles Court 1, Roberts and Snyder never relinquished control from start to finish.
The pair started with nine straight wins, and although Emily Seward and Avery Sassaman were able to stop them from winning all of them, Roberts and Snyder continued to finish strong thanks to their communication.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Georgia Randall of Hughesville and Emma King of Milton play No. 3 singles in the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville. We will compete against each other.
“It’s definitely an experience for us.” Snyder said of the performance: “We’ve been playing together for about two years now. Just a lot of forehands and backhands, so make sure to incorporate those.”
“I thought we did a really good job today just by volleying really well and communicating with each other.” said Roberts. “I think we’re getting better on the next play and being able to change our positions on the court.”
Against Milton, Emma King continued to show her improvement in singles court 3. She controlled the first set and won 6-4 in Georgia Randall, who she defeated 6-0, 6-0 about a month ago. In forcing consistent pursuit, she was able to force Randall into multiple net shots, one of which gave her a 4-3 lead and a set victory.
“She’s been a great player for us all year. A lot of our really important wins came from that third court.” Milton head coach Devin Esch said of King. “Each court is only one point, so there are many ways to win as a team, but I’m proud of the progress she’s made this year and moved from doubles last year to singles. That’s not easy.”
Although it wasn’t the exit the team had hoped for, Milton was able to finish its first district tournament since 2018 with its first district championship since 2018. The Black Panthers, who finished 3-15 last season, increased their win total by six to finish with a 9-8 win record.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Georgia Randall of Hughesville and Emma King of Milton play No. 3 singles in the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville. We will compete against each other.
“It was always our goal just to make it to the tournament, but going one step further than that is even better.” Esch said. “I’m very proud of how this year’s team has improved not only from last year to this year, but throughout the season.”
The run continues for Hughesville, which prepares to play either third-seeded South Williamsport (12-3) or sixth-seeded Lewisburg (14-4) next Tuesday at 4 p.m. That’s not even in the back of the minds of the Bulldogs, who are playing in the championship.
“We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves because we don’t want to get caught up in our thinking.” Roberts said of the outlook. “Hopefully, once we get there, we know what we have to do to come back.”
“They’re strong. South Williamsport is strong in doubles No. 1, 2 and 3. Lewisburg is strong.” Weaver said. “You never take time off. If you keep doing what you know you have to do, you might be in pretty good shape. But you can’t relax.”
Hughesville 3, Milton 0
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Milton’s Emma King and Hughesville’s Georgia Randall compete in No. 3 singles in the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville. do.
singles
1. Sarah Buck (H) def. Kyrie Snyder 6-0, 6-0. 2. Annaka Bruder (H) def. Emily Waltman 6-0, 6-1. 3. Emma King (male) led Georgia Randall 6-4, 0-3.
doubles
1. Rebecca Roberts/Maya Snyder (H) def. Emily Seward/Avery Sassaman 6-0, 6-1. 2. Gracie Budman/Talia Saka (H) leads Carey King/Maddie Coup, 6-2, 3-0.
Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Milton’s Emily Waltman and Hughesville’s Annaka Bruder compete in the No. 2 singles D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville. We will compete against each other.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Milton’s Kylie Snyder and Hughesville’s Sarah Buck compete for No. 1 singles in the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Milton’s Kylie Snyder and Hughesville’s Sarah Buck compete for No. 1 singles in the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Milton’s Kylie Snyder and Hughesville’s Sarah Buck compete for No. 1 singles in the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Milton’s Kylie Snyder and Hughesville’s Sarah Buck compete for No. 1 singles in the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville.
Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Sarah Buck of Hughesville and Kylie Snyder of Milton compete for No. 1 singles in the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville.
Ralph Wilson/Sun Gazette Correspondent Rebecca Roberts and Maya Snyder of Hughesville play with Emily Seward of Milton and Avery during the D4 Class AA girls tennis quarterfinals Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Hughesville.・Play against Sassaman in the first doubles match.
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