Sports
Vikings Tennis Struggles Against Naperville North
With some changes in their squad this season, the tennis team has some adjusting to do.
With a new conference, a new No. 1 singles player, a state qualifying doubles player turned No. 2 singles player, and a different No. 1 doubles team, Geneva varsity tennis is in for a few challenges and surprises this season.
Their first home match proved difficult, as Naperville North dominated the doubles matches on Thursday. The Vikings played a solid match overall but were defeated 6-2.
The No. 1 doubles team, Claire Chlasta and Abbey Baumer, took their match to an exciting three-set series but could not hold on to a victory. After splitting the first two sets, Chlasta and Baumer lost the third set 6-2.
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Chlasta and Baumer are new partners this season, and their first home match together looked promising. In 2009, Chlasta and Annie Tourte—now a singles player—advanced to the state tournament, and Chlasta is hoping to have the same success with her new partner.
Although the doubles players had difficulty against the Huskies, No. 1 singles player Carly Ausman and No. 2 singles player Annie Tourte both won their matches in two sets. Ausman, a junior, was moved to No. 1 this season after the Vikings lost Kayla Fujimoto to graduation and the Indiana University Tennis Team. Tourte, a senior, was moved from No. 1 doubles to No. 2 single this season to create a strong singles team for the Vikings.
Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Ausman dominated both sets, winning 6-3, 6-3.
In five of the matches Thursday, Naperville North needed only two sets to win.
Geneva may have struggled on Thursday, but the season has just begun. The Vikings have a strong squad and are hoping to use some of the momentum from last year's successful season.
With a new conference ahead of them the Tennis team may face challenges against St. Charles North and St. Charles East, both of whom have state qualifying players on their squad this year.
Overall, with Tourte, Ausman, Chlasta and Baumer, Geneva Tennis should compete for a high place in this season's Upstate Eight River Division.
The Vikings play next at 4:30 on Tuesday at home.
