The Tyrone/Bellwood girls tennis team began their week on Monday, October 6 against Grier.

The team started the night by honoring their departing seniors: Ana Hollen, Paige Padula, Shannon Gearhart, Natalie Dumin, and Courtney Kurtz.

“Realizing that I’m a senior this year and won’t get to spend another year on the team really makes me wish I played all four years. I always tell Shannon she should’ve tried harder to get me to join before our junior year,” explained Tyrone senior Courtney Kurtz, “I’m still telling everyone I hate being a senior, it’s too sad!”

“It really hit when we had to sign each other’s posters. It really makes you realize this is probably the last time we will all play together. It took most of us a while to figure out what to write on everyone’s posters as a goodbye; it is hard to know exactly what to say to your friends when they’re leaving,” said Tyrone senior Shannon Gearhart.

Upon asking the underclassmen what they’d miss most about their seniors, it was not hard for the girls to think of something.

“I’m just going to miss seeing and talking to them every day,” said Tyrone junior Marlena Wagner.

“It’s going to be so different; I’ve only ever played tennis with the seniors,” said Bellwood junior Hannah Klesius.

“I’m really going to miss joking around with them,” said Ana Raabe, Tyrone sophomore.

“I’ll miss playing with my sister and her friends,” said Bellwood freshman Ali Dumin.

“I’m definitely going to miss Shannon’s pterodactyl noises,” said Bellwood freshman Tina Hollen.

The girls tennis coach, Randy Irvin, also had a few things to say about the departing seniors.

“We have such great chemistry on this team and the girls really pull for each other. I can’t say enough about these seniors from their great work ethics to their never give up attitudes. they have been such a joy to coach. They have been a great foundation to the team, and  the girls next year will have big shoes to fill but hopefully they are up for the challenge,” said coach Randy Irvin.

Unfortunately, the match ended a few sets short due to the rain with only two completions of sets. The match will not be rescheduled.

On Wednesday, October 8, Tyrone/Bellwood tennis girls faced Central Mountain and claimed another victory.

The girls will still be attending team districts on Monday, October 13 at Tyrone. The Tyrone/Bellwood girls tennis team is currently seated number 2 in team districts with stats of 10-3.

Coach Irvin has no doubt that the girls will do nothing but give it their all.

“I believe this team can and will win team districts!” Irvin added, “These girls are really setting the bar high for girls tennis, I don’t think Tyrone has ever had stats this [good]. It’s nearly unheard of for Tyrone/Bellwood tennis.”

Results

Central Mountain- Tyrone (3-2) (10-8-14)

Singles:
#1) Ana Hollen (T) def. Jolee McCluskey (C) 6-3, 6-1.
#2) Paige Padula (T) def. Quinn McCluskey (C) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.
#3) Marlena Wagner (T) def. Rachel Wasilko (C) 6-4, 6-0.

Doubles:
#1) Cassie Lageman, and Chelsie Miller (C) def. Tina Hollen, and Shannon Gearhart (T) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
#2) Kristina Fenner, and Cierra Merrill (C) def. Natalie Dumin, and Hannah Klesius (T) 6-2, 6-4.