By Cort Reynolds
ADA - The host Ada tennis team played well but was edged 3-2 by undefeated Ottawa-Glandorf Monday night at the park courts.
The Bulldog netters dropped to 2-3 after the close defeat despite wins at the top two singles spots. O-G improved to 6-0 with the victory.
"Overall I thought it was a good experience for the team, and I appreciate their good attitude," said Ada head coach Dexter Woods. He reported that several team members even resumed practicing after the match was finished.
Ada senior Miranda Wills upped her season record to 3-2 with a comeback three-set victory at first singles over senior Carter Welch.
Wills lost the first set, and rebounded to win the second set. She trailed 1-2 in the third set before catching fire, reeling off the next four games to build a 5-2 lead.
Serving for the match, she dropped the first point but tied it 15-all on a forehand error from Welch. A drop shot winner by Welch made it 15-30.
Welch sailed a forehand long to knot it 30-all. A backhand winner to the deep corner by Welch gave him break point. But he committed a service return error to run the score to deuce.
After another Welch miscue, Wills reached match point. He returned a shot wide to finish the set and match in favor of Wills, 6-2.
"Miranda got in a groove in the second set and played well," said Woods. Wills won 12 of the last 16 games.
Bulldog junior southpaw Dexter Woods III improved to 5-0 at second singles with a straight-sets victory over the other Welch twin, senior Colin Welch.
"It was a battle of left-handers," said coach Woods. "Dexter came from behind in both sets by pressuring his opponent at the net."
The twin Welch brothers made it to the state round of 16 in doubles two years ago as sophomores, yet lost the top two singles bouts to the Bulldogs.
Ada junior Brendan Jameson fell to O-G junior Eli Schmenk at third singles in straight sets.
"Brendan played well but his opponent was a very complete and consistent player," said Woods.
At first doubles, Ada sophomore Geddes Klingler and Ashlyn Madison lost in straight sets. "It was a good learning experience for first doubles," said the coach.
Senior Cole Anspaugh and sophomore Amelia Alexander fell in two sets at second doubles.
"The Ada tandem came along in the second set," said Woods. "They showed great hustle and got to a lot of balls."
Individual match results:
1st singles: Miranda Wills (Ada) defeated Carter Welch (OG) 1-6, 6-2, 6-2
2nd singles: Dexter Woods (Ada) def. Colin Welch (OG) 6-3, 6-4
3rd singles: Eli Schmenk (OG) def. Brendan Jameson (Ada) 6-2, 6-1
1st doubles: Jaden Lehman/Josh Walls (OG) def. Geddes Klingler/Ashlyn Madison (Ada) 6-0, 6-0
2nd doubles: Hayden Kuhlman/Bryant Schroeder (OG) def. Amelia Alexander/Cole Anspaugh (Ada) 6-0, 6-3
Exhibition doubles:
Colton Biederman/Abid Khan (Ada) lost 8-1
Connor Daugherty/Brendan Kah (Ada) lost 7-1
The Bulldogs are scheduled to play at Bath Thursday, April 14 at 4:30 p.m. They then entertain Shawnee, yet another WBL foe, on Thursday, April 15 in the park at 4:30 p.m.
