Greely swung into Freeport on Thursday afternoon, April 14, for both teams’ first match of the season. The Rangers won the bout handily, going 5-0 across the action, but the Falcons’ second doubles duo – Izzy McClelland and Priyanka Miller – put up an especially fiery fight, forcing their battle with Jordon Bryant and Kaitlyn Thompson into a tie-break.

“It was a really good match day,” said Freeport head coach Soph Lundeberg. “Despite it being cold and windy, especially toward the evening, there was a lot of enthusiasm and hard work on the courts.”

McClelland and Miller dropped their first set to Bryant and Thompson, 6-4, but clawed back in the second, which they took 7-5. In lieu of a third set, the contest went to a 10-point tie-break. Bryant and Thompson took that as well, 10-5, and emerged victorious.

Lundeberg applauded Miller and McClelland: “Priyanka and Izzy really brought the fire when otherwise the sun had left the court!”

Rangers Jenna Rice and Katie Skinberg won the teams’ first doubles dustup, downing Caleigh Breton and Lucy Sandhim 6-0, 6-3. 

In singles action: Greely’s Kathryn Pare defeated Freeport’s Charlotte Eisele 6-2, 6-2; Alex Tebbs defeated Lindsey Dealaman 6-3, 6-3; and Madelyn Day defeated Leah Harrison 6-1, 6-2.

“Some of our matches were much closer than the score reflected,” said Lundeberg. “Charlotte played some really great tennis, hitting great cross-court shots, running for every ball and, most importantly, having a really good mental game against a tough opponent.”

Freeporter Charlotte Eisele returns a volley in her singles matchup with Greely’s Kathryn Pare.

Freeport’s Lindsey Dealaman fell 6-3, 6-3 to Ranger Alex Tebbs on Thursday afternoon.

Falcon Leah Harrison returns a ball vs. Madelyn Day on Thursday.