TORRINGTON – On Thursday, the Torrington High School tennis teams hosted the Kelly Walsh Trojans and the Natrona County Mustangs. Torrington was swept by Kelly Walsh, but the boys’ team salvaged a split with Natrona County.

In the morning match against the Trojans, the Lady Blazers suffered a 5-0 loss.

Katie Watson fell 6-0, 6-0 in No. 1 singles, while Madix McIntosh also suffered a 6-0, 6-0 loss. 

In doubles action, the No. 1 team of Juliana Russell and Madison Hatch won the first set 7-5, but KW battled back wo knock off the Torrington duo in the next two sets 6-3, 6-4.

In No. 2 doubles action Marlee Foy and Laney Grubbs lost 6-2, 6-2. In No. 3 doubles, Haley DeFoe and Olivia Judkins fell 6-4, 6-1.

In the boys’ division, the Blazers came up short in a 3-2 loss to the Trojans.

Adam Bartlett won a marathon match 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. The match lasted two hours and 41 minutes.

“Adam battled to win this match,” coach Lauren Shields said. “Adam played great tennis, probably the best I have seen him play. He worked hard on getting to the net and volleying, which he did beautifully.”

The other win of the day went to No. 1 doubles team of Elijah Hatch and Skyler Thomas. They dropped the first set 6-3 but rebounded with a 6-1, 6-3 wins in the final two sets.

“Elijah and Skyler finally put it all together this week,” Shields said. “It started against Sheridan and came to an end against KW and NC. These two seem to have figured out how to play doubles together.  They still need to work on some movement and consistency with it, however, they are volleying better, they realize that every point matters.”

In No. 2 singles, Jorey Asmus lost 6-0, 6-2, and the doubles team of Steven Schneider and Gabe Posten fell 6-1, 6-2. The third doubles team of Marcus Jones and Benaiah Steinbrecker lost 6-2, 6-4.

Later in the afternoon, McIntosh picked up the Lady Blazers’ only win of the day 6-2, 6-2 in a 4-1 loss to Natrona County.

“Madix was clearly the stronger player. She exploited her opponent’s weaknesses well. I really liked that she continued to go to the net and volley more in this match,” Shields said. “It’s important to be able to mix up your game as a singles player. Madix has the mentality that I don’t just want to win, I want to beat you down.”

Watson lost to NC 6-3, 6-2, while Russell and Hatch fell 6-1,6-2. Foy and Grubbs came up short 7-5, 6-2, while DeFoe and Hansen lost 6-3, 6-0.

In the boys’ match, Bartlett picked up his second win of the day 6-2, 6-4. All three doubles teams picked up wins, including Hatch and Thomas 6-0, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3.

The other teams of Schneider and Posten won 6-2, 6-3 and Jones and Steinbrecher scored win in a battle, 7-5, 7-6 (12-10).

“The two and three doubles boys both lost to KW and then beat NC,” Shields said. “If Gabe and Steven move their feet, get their serves in, and move as a team they can compete with anyone at two doubles in the state. The key for them is their footwork and energy. Ben and Marcus continue to improve, especially on their volleying. They are good, supportive teammates to each other. Their matches always have a little excitement to them.”

Torrington wraps up the home portion of the schedule on Friday at 1 p.m. against Laramie.

JV team competes in Casper

The Torrington junior varsity squad took 12 doubles pairs to a tournament in Casper. The Blazers had six teams finish in the top four against teams from all across the state, including Powell, Cody, Sheridan, Laramie, Kelly Walsh, Natrona County, Green River and Rock Springs.

Kiera Fleenor and Inez Chavez won their division. Keelin Connelly and Sawyer Massie also got first place in their division. Ben Steinbrecher and Marcus Jones earned second place in their division. Josiah Steinbrecher and Silas Kiiskinen received third place in their division. Matthew Rogers and Carlos Arias-Martin also received third place. Haley DeFoe and Madison Boyden got fourth place.

“Overall, Torrington played very well and earned some well-deserved accolades at this tournament,” Shields said.