Numerous times, the Skaneateles girls tennis team had a chance to knock off OHSL Liberty division leader Cazenovia on Thursday afternoon, only to get stymied in a 4-3 defeat to that other group of Lakers.
Despite Cazenovia’s 9-1 record, Skaneateles, well-rested and playing at a high level, made a quick impact when, in first doubles, Katharina Kulik and Kathryn Magee beat Edie Connor and Kelly Furlong in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.
More points would follow, as Grace Magee and Avery Bird got past Claire Chanatry and Rebecca Marsch 6-0, 7-6. And in second singles, Katelyn Ellison fought through three long sets, but got a 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 win over Laura Gregg.
Here was where the frustration started. Three different times, Skaneateles took Cazenovia to a third set, only to get beat. In fact, Alaina Davis was just two games from victory before Olivia Bowser rallied past her 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
In doubles, it was the same, as Emily Call and Elizabeth Belinski fell to Sally Langdan and Sienna Lints 6-2, 2-6, 6-2. Also, Olivia Gage and Angela Krause saw an early lead slip away in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 loss to Grace Gara and Taylor Mimms. Makenzi Herbst lost her first singles match to Elizabeth Palmer 7-5, 6-3.
Skaneateles now heads into the Section III Class B team tournament, which it starts Monday with an opening-round match at Oneida.
