PLANO, Texas – Nothing like starting the season off with three ranked opponents.
That was the case for the Barton women’s tennis team this past weekend. The Cougars traveled to Texas to take on three ranked teams at the Collin Super Bash in Plano.
“We didn’t have any tune-up matches for the ladies this year,” Coach Lyle Stickney said. “The Super Bash was baptism by fire. We had three tough matches right out of the gate.
“For our first matches against the competition we face, I’m really encouraged. The entire team played well.”
Barton, ranked No. 19, was able to return to Kansas with a 1-2 record.
Barton lost to No. 11 and host Collin by a 7-2 score and No. 1 ranked Tyler, 9-0
The Cougars pulled out a rather easy 8-1 win over No. 16 New Mexico Military Institute.
In the match against Collin, Barton was able to pick up wins at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. Nues Torregrosa won the singles match over Saera Kanda by a 6-2, 6-2 margin.
Torregrosa teamed with Idah Longwe to win at No. 1 doubles by an 8-6 count over Hannah Rey and Jayme Waites.
Julia Romalho nearly won as well at No. 2 singles, losing 7-5, 7-6 (5) to Waites.
Torregrosa was the only Cougar to push a foe from top ranked Tyler, battling Kalani Soli in a 6-4, 7-5 loss.
“Nues is off to a great start with wins over Collin and New Mexico Military and the tough loss to Tyler,” Coach Stickney said. “She was up a break late in both sets in the loss.”
Torregrosa was pushed in the win over Military, winning 7-6, 7-6 over Francisca Nyarko.
Barton rolled to easy wins in four of the singles matches against the Broncos. Juliana Seabra won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3 singles, Longwe was a 6-1, 6-2 winner at No. 4, Jenna Groene won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5 and Shai Cartmill won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 6.
The only close doubles battle came at No. 1 where Torregrosa and Longwe were 8-6 winners. Romalho and Seabra won 8-1 at No. 2 while Groene and Cartmill won 8-0 at No. 3.
“With the limited number of days we been outdoors to practice, it was an adjustment for the ladies.” Coach Stickney said. “I thought they really adjusted well to the sunny and windy conditions.”
Barton will be off for a couple of weeks before returning to the court to face Bethany College in Lindsborg on Feb. 25.