Bison tennis girls deliver wins 400, then 401 for coach
McCOOK, Neb. — Here’s an amazing tribute to most every McCook High tennis player since 1999:
The Bison boys have scored 200 dual wins for coach Matt Wiemers during these past 24 seasons;
With Thursday’s home sweep, the McCook girls could celebrate wins 200 and 201.
The Bison girls took 201 in style as they swept North Platte, 9-0, following a 7-2 opening win over Hershey Thurday afternoon.
“Obviously, you have to have the horses,” Wiemers said about neither gender suffering a losing dual season since his first three years at McCook High. “And we’ve had some phenomenal athletes play tennis here. You also have to have the belief in the program and the support from everyone — which we’ve had.”
Thursday was a sparkling setting after skies cleared and temperatures rose above 50 degrees for both duals.
The only real setback was McCook missing one senior varsity regular due to illness.
Yet nothing was slowing like ‘99 dial-up internet on this day.
Varsity-proven senior Laci Stewart and sophomore Brooklyn Gillen delivered as did freshmen Abby Schneider and Jayee Hammond in their varsity debuts.
“I knew girls like Laci and Brooklyn would be ready. They’re good, versatile athletes we can move around,” Wiemers explained. “Playing varsity wasn’t even a blip on the radar.”
Meanwhile, Schneider didn’t drop one game while Hammond blasted across an 8-1 win.
Bison versatility showed again vs. North Platte, where Gillen went from No. 3 to No. 2 singles and still triumphed 8-1.
Seniors Abbie Johnson and Jaci Meyers both returned to the varsity lineup where they trounced both Bulldogs.
Perhaps McCook’s best win of this home-opening triangular was that Johnson-Meyers do delivering an 8-5 beating of North Platte’s No. 1 combo.
“I thought that was a real nice win against a good, competitive North Platte team,” coach Wiemers said.
McCook’s No. 2 doubles team featuring sisters Rowen and Roslyn Wiemers also finished a 3-0 first week with neither match closer than 8-2 on Thursday.
Wiemers agreed all these solid 3-0 starts are a tribute how McCook players of both genders work together.
Take new No. 1 singles player Clause as a great example.
“She worked on her game a lot, went to Florida in the off-season, played against boys and tough competition,” coach explained. “The boys work with this team as do the girls with our boys in the fall.”
Both the McCook boys and girls have won Class B state championships during these past six years under Wiemers’ guidance.
The Bison return to practice today and prepare for another home dual on Tuesday against Hastings. First matches are set for 4 p.m.
McCook 7, Hershey 2
SINGLES
No. 1: Izzy Clause, MC, won 8-3 over B. Bode
No. 2: K. McNeil, won 8-4 over Rowen Wiemers, MC
No. 3: Brooklyn Gillen, MC, won 8-4 over J. Messersmith
No. 4: Laci Stewart, MC, won 8-1 over C. McNeel
No. 5: Abby Schneider, MC, won 8-0 over K. Woolley
No. 6: Jaylee Hammond, MC, won 8-1 over A. Quiroga
DOUBLES
No. 1: Johnson/Myers, MC won 8-2 over C. McNeel/Quiroga
No. 2: Wiemers/Wiemers, MC, won 8-2 over Messersmith/Woolley
No. 3: Bode/K. McNeel won 8-4 over Stevens/Wolcott, MC
McCook 9, N.Platte 0
SINGLES
No. 1: Izzy Clause, MC, won 8-3 over L. Daily
No. 2: Brooklynn Gillen, MC, won 8-1 over B. Lundgreen
No. 3: Abbie Johnson, MC, won 8-1 over R. Douglas
No. 4: Rowen Wiemers, MC, won 8-6 over H. Hamilton
No. 5: Roslyn Wiemers, MC, won 8-3 over S. Bedlan
No. 6: Jaci Meyers, MC, won 8-2 over C. McClain
DOUBLES
No. 1: Johnson/Myers, MC won 8-5 over Douglas/Hamilton
No. 2: Wiemers/Wiemers, MC, won 8-2 over Bedlan/McClain
No. 3: Clause/Stewart won 8-3 over Lundgreen/Daily