BEAR RIVER HIGH – By Cari Doutre – August 31, 2020
In Region 11 high school girls’ tennis this season, both Mountain Crest High and Logan High proved that they are a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court – and the Lady Bears struggled to keep up.
The Bear River High girls’ tennis team hosted Mountain Crest High on Tuesday, August 25, losing 4-1 to the Mustangs in varsity play. The Bear River junior varsity team also lost 4-1 to Mountain Crest.
Bear River High junior Erika Olsen continued her undefeated winning streak against the Mustangs, earning the only varsity team victory on the court for the Bears that day. At first singles Olsen beat her opponent 6-0, 6-0.
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At second singles senior Kelby Jensen lost her match in three sets 6-2, 5-7, 1-6. Katiejo Litchford lost her match at third singles, 3-6, 1-6.
Bear River’s doubles teams also came away from the match with losses. Sisters Carissa and Shannon Epling at first doubles lost 2-6, 3-6. At second doubles Jessa Carlson and Madison Bywater lost 5-7, 2-6.
Paige Peterson and Eliza Fowler at third doubles in junior varsity won their match 8-5.
On Thursday, August 27, the Bear River High girls’ tennis team hosted Logan High for more Region 11 matchups. The Grizzlies earned the win 3-2 in varsity action. The junior varsity team from Logan also won 3-2.
Olsen maintained her winning streak at first singles for the Bears. Olsen defeated her Logan High opponent 6-3, 6-2.
The only other varsity victory for the Lady Bears that day came from first doubles team - sisters Carisa and Shannon Epling. The duo beat their opponents in three sets, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.
At second singles Jensen lost 2-6, 0-2 and at third singles Litchford lost 1-6, 2-6. Rounding out the scores for Bear River were second doubles team Carlson and Bywater taking a 6-3, 5-7, 3-6 loss.
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In junior varsity play, Brooklyn Francom defeated her opponent in first singles, 8-2. Claire Throop at second singles also earned a win 8-4. Brooklyn Busby lost her match at third singles, 6-8. Kylee Stevens and Shelby Hansen lost at first doubles, 6-8, and Petersen and Fowler took a loss at second doubles 2-8.
Also getting time on the court for the junior varsity Bear River team were Rachel Epling and Maddie Mickelson in a doubles match losing 3-8. Izzy Bone and Katie Hewlett lost 2-8 and Hallie Croney and Kayla Halat lost their doubles match 3-8.
Next up for the Bear River girls’ tennis team are two matches on the road starting with Ridgeline High School on Tuesday, September 1. The Bears will then travel to Green Canyon High School on Thursday, September 3.
Photos by Ryan Jensen