Excelsior Springs Girls’ Tennis Falls to Lafayette County in Tough Matchup

HIGGINSVILLE, Mo. (Sept. 4, 2024) — After an impressive victory in their season opener against Ruskin, the Excelsior Springs girls’ tennis team faced a tough Lafayette County Lady Huskers team this past Wednesday. Despite a valiant effort, the Tigers were overpowered, falling 1-8 in Higginsville.

In singles play, Malaya Tedesco was the standout for Excelsior Springs, securing the team’s lone victory with a hard-fought 9-7 win against Madison Cunningham. Other Excelsior Springs players battled fiercely but came up short in their matches. Shelby Stodden, Megan Riegel, Laney Smith, Ananya Carrel, and Rebecca McDade all fell to their opponents in singles play.

Here’s how the singles matches unfolded:

• Shelby Stodden lost to Elena Williams (1-8)
• Malaya Tedesco defeated Madison Cunningham (9-7)
• Megan Riegel lost to Emma Gillilan (2-8)
• Laney Smith lost to Nora Knipmeyer (3-8)
• Ananya Carrel lost to Mia Ramirez (2-8)
• Rebecca McDade lost to Riley Randall (1-8)

In doubles action, the Tigers played hard but couldn’t overcome Lafayette County’s strong pairings. Stodden and Tedesco put up a competitive fight but ultimately lost 4-8 to the duo of Cunningham and Gillilan. The teams of Riegel/McDade and Smith/Carrel also faced tough opposition, losing 1-8 and 5-8, respectively.

Doubles results:

• Stodden/Tedesco lost to Cunningham/Gillilan (4-8)
• Riegel/McDade lost to Williams/Ramirez (1-8)
• Smith/Carrel lost to Knipmeyer/Randall (5-8)

Despite the loss, the Tigers continue to build on their early season momentum as they look ahead to future matchups.