By Tim Wester
Sports Correspondent
Senior Alyssa Leffler and junior Allie Miller had just about seen everything in their Union Grove high school tennis careers.
Then came last Friday, Oct. 16, when the Broncos number one doubles team found themselves in the round of 16 at the WIAA state tournament at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
Neither Leffler and Miller (20-3), nor any other Union Grove tennis player had ever advanced this deep in the Division 1 state tournament.
Perhaps the moment, combined with a talented opponent got the most of the Broncos’ duo, which fell to the No. 6-seeded doubles team of Bailey Chorney and Bobbi Stricker of Waunakee, 6-1, 7-5.
“It was a good experience, against tough competition at state,” Union Grove coach Mike Brannen said. “Alyssa and Allie did very well advancing to the round of 16, and I cant ask for too much more than that. They ended up losing to a team that finished third at state last year and fifth this year.”
Leffler and Miller certainly gave Chorney and Stricker all they could handle, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the second set.
The Broncos, however, were unable to close out the set, and allowed Chorney and Stricker to storm back to win the second set 7-5 and the match.
“After we went up 4-0 in second set, I think they other team use their experience to buckle down and make a strong comeback,” Brannen said. “It’s hard to compete against that team’s experience, but Alyssa and Allie played strong throughout the match.”
The disappointing loss couldn’t take away from a successful tournament that saw Leffler and Miller post a 6-3, 7-5 first round victory over Sami Koppa and Lydia Moser of Cedarburg on Thursday, October 15.
“Thursday was a nervous day for the girls, but so was Friday,” Brannen said. “Both players had advanced to the state tournament before, but neither had won a match at state, so both girls were nervous.”
The Broncos’ tandem then shook off their nerves to edge Meredith Vande Zande and Ally Bensen of West Bend, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-3, in a second round matchup Friday morning.
“The experience of playing at state probably in the second round match,” Brannen said.
The heart-pounding victory set up their round of 16 matchup with Chorney and Stricker, who eventually ended the Bronco girls’ season.
“Overall, we handled the experience quite well,” Brannen said. “Alyssa being a senior is obviously disappointed that she doesn’t have another year left to compete at state, and Allie will certainly want to get back to state in any capacity next year.”
Miller will highlight a strong crop of returning players to next year’s roster that should help Union Grove once again have another strong season. Can they top this year’s memorable run?
Brannen said it’s too early to worry about next year.
“It’s certainly not time to think about next year yet.” he said. “We still are reflecting about this season and all that we accomplished.”
With three doubles teams and one singles player making sectional finals on top of the state qualifying Leffler and Miller, it’s hard to argue with taking time for reflection.
-
-
-
-
-