By Robert Whitmire

The SPASH girls tennis team kicked off the 2017 campaign taking three matches in the eight-team Panther invite Wednesday on the SPASH courts.

The 3-0 start marks the debut for head coach Kyle Falk who takes the reins from long-time mentor Gary Baier.

Sabrina Tang, a 2016 state meet qualifier, opened her season at Number 1 singles with a 6-1, 6-0 win as the Panthers went on to defeat Appleton East 6-1.

SPASH returned to the court to take a 5-2 win over Wausau Newman, and rounded out the day with a 6-1 win over Verona.

“I think this is going to be a great season for the team as a whole,” Falk said. “It’s always difficult losing a strong contingent of seniors which we did last year including a two-time state champion. Overall, our girls have prepared in the off-season and are embracing the challenge of competing to the best of their ability.”

The Panthers return to action Aug. 21 and 22 when they travel to the Eau Claire Memorial Invite. First day action starts at 1 PM. Second day play is scheduled for 10 AM. SPASH will return home to open Wisconsin Valley Conference play Thursday, Aug. 31 hosting Wausau West at the SPASH courts. First serve is scheduled for 4 PM.

Meet results

SPASH 6, Appleton East 1
#1 Singles – Sabrina Tang 6-1, 6-1 over Nicole Pfotenbauer; #2 Singles – Leah Olsen 6-0, 6-0 over Gabby Davis; #3 Singles – Anna Hlavac 4-6, 6-1, 10-5 over Claire Mihalko; #4 Singles – Allison Rust 6-3, 6-2 over Kendra Krahenbuhl; #1 Doubles – Taylor Konczal-Elizabet Wentzel 6-0, 6-2 over Cali Boreson-Megan Miller; #2 Doubles – Lillie James-Maggie Negaard 6-3, 6-3 over Emily Breister-Ally Nelson; #3 Doubles – Jenna Boeck-Allison Kleman def. by Emma Pitsch-Mckynlee Steward 3-6, 2-6.
SPASH 5, Wausau Newman 2
#1 Singles – Sabrina Tang 6-3, 6,3 over Mia Larrain; #2 Singles Leah Olsen def. by Laura Larrain 1-6, 0-6; #3 Singles Anna Hlavac def. by Sarah Suchanen 3-6, 4-6; #4 Singles Allison Rust over Grace Suchanen 6-2, 6-1. #1 Doubles Taylor Konczal-Elizabeth Wentzel over Sarriianna Hoffer-Ali Bonnett; #2 Double Liilie James-Maggie Negaard over Evita Duffy-Julia Welter6-1, 6-1; #3 Doubles Jenna Boeck-Allison Kleman over Desirae Lo-Anna Hackett 6-3, 6-1.
SPASH 6, Verona 1
#1 Singles – Sabrina Tang over Meredith Conley 6-1, 6-0; #2 Singles Leah Olsen over Allison Blessing 6-1, 6-0; #3 Singles – Anna Hlavac over Mary Saley 6-4, 6-3; #4 Singles Allison rust def. by Meghan Samz 6-7, 3-6. #1 Doubles – Lillie James-Taylor Konczal over Claire Johnson Kayla Johnson 6-0, 6-1; #2 Doubles – Elizabeth Wentzel-Maggie Negaard over Eve Parker-Kasie Keyes 6-3, 6-0; #3 Doubles – Jenna Boeck-Allison Kleman over Sydney Breitbach-Angie Sutter 3-6, 7-5, 10-2.