Lady Wykons still in mix after challenging week

By Patrick Browne

IRON RIVER – The Lady Wykons tennis team continues to show promise despite coming off a difficult week which had the girls play four matches in four days, beginning with a grueling match against Iron Mountain on Monday, Aug. 29.  
The 1-6-1 Wykon team record belies the fact that, in almost every match the girls have played this year, they have been just a few critical points away from victory.
Last week the team went on the road for three matches and played four times in four days. This schedule would be difficult for any team, but the girls took it in stride. 
They took a number of their matches three sets before eventually succumbing to their opponent. 
It was a disastrous week for the team’s record, but gave the Lady Wykons the experience they will need to make a run for the championship. 
“It’s exhausting for me and I’m not even playing,” said Coach Joe Serbentas, summing the week up well. 
Returning home after the road trip which saw the girls lose 6–2 to Iron Mountain the previous week, the girls tied the Mountaineers 4–4 in a Sept. 6 match against what is most likely the team to beat for the Upper Peninsula Championship. 
Junior Aubrey Bice led the way, playing at first singles, defeating Iron Mountain’s Callie Bianco 2–6, 6–1, and 7–5. 
Autumn Smith exemplifies the grittiness of the team. Despite not feeling well the day of the Mountaineer match, she and her doubles partner Kaitlyn Smith, playing at second doubles, were victorious against Avea Brown and Anika Cameron 6–3, 3–6, and 6–1.
“We are glad to be right in the mix in almost every match and we are coming together heading into the final weeks of the season,” quipped Coach Serbentas. “This was a great improvement against a very solid Iron Mountain team.”