Baraboo swept Portage in doubles action, but was trumped in all four of its singles matches on Tuesday, as the Thunderbirds girl's tennis team fell to visiting Portage, 4-3.
The T-Birds have dropped three straight Badger Conference affairs by that same margin, but aren't gettingdiscouraged.
"We're happy to be in the matches and be competitive in all of them, but we do wish we could just get that fourth match," said Baraboo coach Karll Kruse.
BHS' No. 4 singles player, Stephanie Schuebel, nearly knocked off Portage's Whitney Dewald in her first outing at the varsity level, before falling 7-5, 7-5.
"Schuebel played well and put out a terrific effort," said Kruse. "The better player won the match, but just barely. "Stephanie's was the pivital match, and she'll learn something from that."
Portage's No. 1 singles player, Brandi Dohmen — who's 10-1 on the year — faced off against Baraboo's Jessica Labeots. Thought Labeots fell, 6-0, 6-0, the junior continues to soak up the experience against proven competition.
"Jess should have some good success down the road, and will be better off in the end after playing all these good players," Kruse said. "It's not often you get to compete against a player of that caliber. It was good practice for her."
Highlighting the doubles play for BHS was Jenny Kuchman. Kuchman, paired with Katy Philabaum, helped the duo to a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
"Katy and Jenny are good in that number-three spot," Kruse said. "They put the ball where it needs to go and Jenny is a shot-maker with a lot of potential."
At No. 2 doubles, Hilary Bildsten and Kristen McReath rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the first set to beat Portage's Nicole Cummings and Cassie Van Wormer, 7-5, 6-0.
Rachel Holtz and Mya Flentje were never in any danger in their No. 1 tilt, topping Portage, 6-2, 6-4.
BHS returns to the court today welcoming conference foe, Reedsburg. The T-Birds are hoping to spread around the victories a little more.
"I think we match up well and we should be able to get a couple singles wins and doubles wins," Kruse said. "It'd be nice to have a more balanced attack."
Singles
No. 1 (P) Brandi Dohmen, 6-0, 6-0 over Jessica Labeots
No. 2 (P) Nicole Decker, 6-4, 6-2 over Lydia Greve
No. 3 (P) Olivia Mueller, 6-1, 6-0 over Melissa Miller
No. 4 (P) Whitney Dewald, 7-5, 7-5 over Stephanie Schuebel
Doubles
No. 1 (B) Rachel Holtz/Mya Flentje, 6-2, 6-4 over Sam Anderson/Alexi Krueger
No. 2 (B) Hilary Bildsten/Kristen McReath, 7-5, 6-0 over Nicole Cummings/Cassie Van Wormer
No. 3 (B) Jenny Kuchman/Katy Philabaum, 6-3, 6-1 over Katrina Schmudlack/Ann Chapman
