Squaring off against Marshall over the past few years meant fierce back and forth battles against a side that were never willing to yield. So when the Bulldogs' tandem of Shelby Kennemore and Lily …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Squaring off against Marshall over the past few years meant fierce back and forth battles against a side that were never willing to yield. So when the Bulldogs' tandem of Shelby Kennemore and Lily Yager were forced into overtime last Tuesday, Mexico prepared for more of the same.
But Kim Costley's crew cruised to a 9-0 sweep. And except for the lead doubles match, the outcomes were lopsided.
"It was great to finally come out on top," Costley said, referring to the Owls recent conference dominance. "We are playing strong and not giving up many games."
In singles, Winona Whelan was under the most pressure in a 10-3 win over Kaylen Alvarez. Kennemore overpowered Marshall's number one, Karsyn King, 10-2.
The rest of the lineup – Katie Gooch, Yager, Estrella Lopez and Jocelyn Garcia – handled the Owls with ease. Each won their matches 10-1.
Mexico faced greater opposition in the doubles round. Still, Gooch and Whelan topped Marshall's number two pairing 10-4 while Garcia and Lopez finished things off with a 10-2 win.
The match of the day was between Mexico's Kennemore and Yager and the Marshall pairing of King and Avery Evans.
Neither side could gain an edge, trading volleys and points. Regulation ended in a 10-10 draw and the tie-breaker set was equally tense.
Kennemore and Yager finally pulled ahead to prevail 7-5.
"Those games are always toughness builders," Costley observed.
The JV match featured a thriller, as well. Lani Blair and Lucy Gleeson had to go an extra round against Marshall's Dianna Escarate and Lilly Klaassen, finally fending them off for a 11-9 win.
Mexico's JV squad rolled to a 5-1 team win. Jyllian Whitworth and Brynna Carey took their match 10-5, as did Daida Herrara and Amelia Denham. Claire Hudson was paired with Madison Maxwell and fared well at 8-3. Sondra Cruz and Madison Wheaton fought off the Owls' Michelle Lin and Rubio Kelly 8-6.
Reiley Walker with Abby Ryan played well, but could not catch up to a pairing that included a warmed up Kelly.