York looks for strong showing at state tennis

The experienced one doubles team of Michaela Fischer and Teagan Beck will look to lead the York Dukes at state tennis this Thursday.
Seventh-seeded Fischer and Beck are the only returning Duke competitors from last year’s state tournament and are looking to improve on their quarterfinal performance from a year ago. According to Coach Josh Budler, the pair has a favorable draw into a likely quarterfinal matchup with second-seeded Grand Island Central Catholic. Although they lost to GICC twice on the season, Budler is confident that if they play to their potential they can beat the Crusaders.
“The girls had a big upset to get to the quarterfinals last year,” Budler said. “If they can do that again this year they’ll get to the semifinals. Hopefully GICC sees a different team from us this time.”
At two doubles, Michaela Stuhr and Jessica James open up with Lincoln Pius, with one of the girls being half of a doubles team they defeated 8-2 earlier in the season. The girls aren’t seeded, but still have a shot to do some damage in Lincoln.
“There’s a chance that both doubles teams could make it to Friday,” Budler said. “I really believe that they both can make it.”
Taking a brief look at Budler’s history at York, there’s no reason not to believe him. Five doubles state champions and two runner-ups in just five short years of coaching is nothing to balk at.
At one singles for York, Jeana Hoffschnieder will open up play for the Dukes Thursday at 8 a.m. against Loren Zlomke of Omaha Brownell-Talbot.
“Jeana’s fortunate that she didn’t get a seeded player in the first round,” Budler said. “She’ll be playing a tough opponent at one singles, but she definitely has a good chance.”
Sarah Sleight finishes off the Dukes’ six-player squad that will be heading to Lincoln Thursday. Sleight will also play her opening match against an unseeded opponent, Emily Reiners of Holdrege. Reiners defeated Sleight 8-5 earlier this season in a very competitive match. Budler believes everyone on his team is capable of making a strong showing at state.
“They’re going to have to believe in their abilities,” he said. “They definitely have the tools to do it; they just have to believe they can do it.”
The Class B tournament will be held at the Nebraska Tennis Center, which is located at 7600 North 70th Street in Lincoln.