For a group of youngsters and a few players who have never played the game, the Superior High tennis program is progressing into what may become a bright future.

Friday the Lady Bobcats took on Mission of St. Ignatius and came within two points of winning the team title on the Mission courts.

Superior sophomore Lanie Crabb, who earned a Divisional title last year as a freshman and advanced to the state finals, kept her season record perfect with a hard-fought 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 win over Mission’s Mady Currie in what Bobcat Tennis coach Angie Hopwood described as a solid test for her team’s leader.

“It was the first challenging match for Lanie this season and it lasted more than two hours,” Hopwood said.

The Bobcats doubles team of Molia Dao and Brook Bibler also had an extended match that went down to the wire. The Superior pair battled hard before succumbing to the more experienced Mission team of Ahni Umphrey and Emily Morigeau 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) and 6-2.

Dao and Bibler, Hopwood said are “two newer players who played the best match so far this season with some really smart net play. This match also lasted more than two hours”.

Playing in their first match as partners, the Bobcats’ duo of Sicilia Slattenda and Taylor Awberry beat their Mission opponents 7-5 and 6-2 to round out the Superior team scoring.

In two other doubles matches, Bobcats Trina Azure and Olivia Greuter lost 2-6, 7-5 to Mission’s Allyson Umphrey and Lanie Keast, while Ireland Heinrich and Mara Kemp fell 0-6, 1-6 to Lady Bulldogs pair Ahni Umphrey and Jazmin Druffle.

Hopwood said she was pleased with the overall performance of her team.

“Heinrich and Kemp are two brand new players who have never held a tennis racket before this year,” she said. “I cannot stress how proud I am of this team. They are truly a wonderful group of girls and my time with them is the highlight of my day.

“I also have a fantastic assistant coach, Kaylee Richards, who brings her tennis expertise and coaching experience to the table. Win or lose we have fun!”