Triad girls tennis compete in Bradshaw Invite

By Anthony Jones

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TROY — Nearly 50 tennis teams from across Illinois and Missouri converged on the area last week for Edwardsville’s Heather Bradshaw Invitational.

Triad’s girls varsity squad competed in the Challengers I division of the tournament, starting with a Sept. 6 matchup with the Danville Vikings. At last year’s IHSA State Tournament, Danville placed seventh as a team.

The Lady Knights, who hosted the matchup, scored a 6-3 victory to advance to the championship bracket.

In Triad’s round one victory, they won a pair of doubles matches and four singles matches. London Looby and Kacey Ruger delivered wins in both divisions, while Anna D’Aunoy, Hailey D’Aunoy, Averi Moore and Macee Shemwell provided the remainder of the wins.

The Vikings went on to win the consolation side of the bracket following their setback against Triad.

The following morning, Triad hosted a matchup against University High. The Pioneers finished last season in nineteenth place at the state tournament.

Through six singles matches, the Lady Knights found themselves in a 3-3 tie with the Pioneers. Their first three victories came from Ruger, Looby and Moore.

The duo of Moore and Green secured a doubles win for Triad but University High nabbed the other doubles battles for a 5-4 win. University High defeated Teutopolis 6-3 in the subsequent championship bout.

Triad closed out the tournament with a 2-2 tie against Highland in the third-place match. Katie Watts and Ruger scored a doubles win against the Bulldogs and Shemwell added another in singles play.

Earlier in the week, the Lady Knights traveled to Granite City for a non-conference matchup. Triad scored a 9-0 victory in their Sept. 5 meeting.

Nine Triad players played in the win, including a win from Looby at the top singles spot. Ruger and Moore teamed for a victory atop the doubles action.

Lila Gallia, Emerson Guidry, Hailey D’Aunoy, Anna D’Aunoy, Green, Shemwell and Watts added to the win total.