Dickinson High senior Krista Padgett has a positive outlook on life that comes in handy on the tennis court.
Padgett, trailing 0-5 in the first set of her match against Williston's Kierstin Kemp at No. 4 singles on Friday, stayed optimistic and came back to win the set 7-5. Padgett's luck ran out, though, as nagging knee trouble reared its ugly head and Kemp was able to pull out the next two sets 6-2, 6-2.
"That's a gutsy performance from a senior," Dickinson High coach Kristal Fields said of the first set. "Sure, she lost in the long run, but that took guts and that's impressive. That's going to send a message to the rest of the team."
However, lack of success in their singles matches put the Midgets behind the 8-ball as Williston came away with a 6-3 West Region victory at the Dickinson High tennis courts.
Williston led 4-2 heading into doubles action and clinched the victory when Megan Ryckman and Abby Kemp teamed up to down Padgett and Kylee Brown 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3 doubles.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It's always nice to get that first conference win, especially on the road," Williston coach Wade Stueve said. "Dickinson is always a tough battle for us. This is a good win."
Williston is playing without three starters, who are ineligible due to not enough practices.
Stueve had to move Kierstin Kemp, Abby Kemp and Jocci Walz up from junior varsity and the trio did not disappoint. Kierstin Kemp and Walz both won their singles matches. Both Kemps were played a part in two winning doubles teams.
"Because those three stepped in and did so well, hopefully this should help motivate them to make the varsity next year or maybe this year before challenges are done," Stueve said.
Dickinson senior Chelsey Galipeau won both of the matches she played.
She topped Rachel Hennessy at No. 1 singles 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2 and then partnered with Brittany Jalbert to beat Walz and Katie Slemin 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 at No. 2 doubles. Dickinson's Steph Wallace was also a winner, defeating Abby Kemp 6-2, 6-0 at No. 5 singles.
Fields said there were enough close matches to warrant the thinking that a different outcome could be expected the next time these two teams meet.
"It could be different," Fields said. "I think we played them pretty tough."
ADVERTISEMENT
Williston 6, Dickinson 3
Singles: 1, Chelsey Galipeau, D, def. Rachel Hennessy, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2. 2, Katie Slemin, W, def. Caitlin Dunn, 6-0, 6-2. 3, Megan Ryckman, W, def. Rachael Kelly, 6-2, 6-2. 4, Kierstin Kemp, W, def. Krista Padgett, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. 5, Steph Wallace, D, def. Abby Kemp, 6-2, 6-0. 6, Jocci Walz, W, def. Kylee Brown, 6-3, 6-3.
Doubles: 1, Hennessy-K. Kemp def. Dunn-Kelly, 6-0, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4. 2, Galipeau-Brittany Jalbert, D, def. Slemin-Walz, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2. 3, Ryckman-Kemp def. Padgett-Brown, 6-3, 6-1.
