Jarosz Stays Perfect as Tennis Tigers Defeat Benton, Fall to Winnetonka

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo., Sept. 15, 2025 — The Lady Tiger tennis team split a pair of matches last week, defeating Benton before falling to Winnetonka.

Excelsior Springs opened the week with an 8-1 team win over Benton on Sept. 15. Senior Alicja Jarosz continued her undefeated season with a 6-0 win in the No. 1 singles match.

“Alicja has been a very pleasant surprise coming over as a foreign exchange student from Poland,” coach Richie Marsh said.

Junior Laney Smith won 6-1 at No. 2 singles, and junior Ananya Carrel added a 6-0 victory at No. 3. Junior Olivia Deere collected a 6-0 win at No. 4 singles. Junior Haily McDade suffered the lone loss for the Lady Tigers, 6-4, before freshman Cassie Wenz closed singles play with a 6-1 win at No. 6.

In doubles, Jarosz and Smith paired for a 6-0 victory at the top spot, Carrel and Deere won 6-2 at No. 2, and McDade and sophomore Charis Dearing pulled out a 7-6 win at No. 3.

A trip to Winnetonka ended with a 6-3 defeat for the Lady Tigers. Jarosz and Smith earned an 8-4 win in doubles, while Carrel and Deere fell 8-6 and McDade and junior Kaylee Halfhill dropped an 8-0 match.

In singles play, Jarosz picked up an 8-4 win and Deere battled to a 9-7 victory. Smith lost 8-5, Carrel 8-2, McDade 8-0 and Halfhill 8-6.

The Lady Tigers, now 5-3, are set to face Grandview and St. Michael the Archangel this week, along with competing in the Excelsior Springs Tournament.