Irish: No signs of rust for girls...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

It’s been a quiet year for the Bishop McGuinness girls tennis team. No, it’s not because they’re any less dominant than what they’ve been. But they haven’t seen a lot of action.

So I was thrilled that the tennis gods allowed me to see the Irish and Edmond North on Tuesday in a dual between two of the best teams in the state.

McGuinness coach Vicki Connelly strongly believes in the challenge system, and Mia Lancaster beat Whitney Ritchie twice and therefore is the No. 1 singles player this year. Lancaster was dominant in winning her match Tuesday.

And after three years of being in doubles, senior Emily Conrad has stepped in at No. 2 singles. That leaves Ritchie and Trinian O’Neil at No. 1 doubles. That’s just how deep the team is.

The Irish have had a couple of tournaments canceled and really haven’t gotten to be out on the court as much as the other teams.

It didn’t show as the girls easily won 4-0 against North. Conversely, the boys of North took a 3-1 win, losing only at No. 1 doubles.

That match was easily the match of the day as McGuinness’ John Byrne and Jonathan Kraft won 7-6 (7), 7-6 (2) to beat Nick Jordan and Bryce Lilley. If it would have went to a third, I wouldn’t be writing this right now – would still be out there.