ELLSWORTH — Ellsworth girls’ tennis honored its four seniors during the Monday matchup against Baldwin-Woodville.

EmmaJo Meier, Karissa Kollbaum, Delaney Johnson and Katie Groen make up the senior class for the Panthers, and Head Coach Brad Baker gave high praise to each of them.

“These guys have been around a long time and have put in the effort and the work to be the tennis players that they are,” Baker said. “Just a great bunch.”

On the court, the Panthers could not pick up a win against a Baldwin-Woodville team that has given many trouble this year, but there were still positive signs.
Brooke Olson and Alyssa Davis stood out to Baker the most, holding down the doubles with a tiebreaker win to finish the day.

“Their first year of tennis, both sophomores, and they’re starting to figure things out,” Baker said.

Baker said the Middle Border Conference is no easy task, but it will only better them as they move forward.

“There’s some really good teams,” Baker said. “A little bit more focus and a little bit of luck, quite honestly, to get to the top in a lot of spots.”

Baker said the team needs to piece together some strong practices and hard work to continue to build. The Panthers faced a major physical and mental challenge Monday, but Baker was proud of the way the team gave it everything they could.

“A little bit overwhelmed I think,” Baker said. “It’s tough when you know you are playing against people that are that good. But I think they tried their hardest, and that’s all I can ask.”

After the match, the team and families heard speeches about the seniors from some of their closest teammates.

The postseason is rapidly approaching for Ellsworth, as the MBC meet is Oct. 1 in Eau Claire.