YOUNGSTOWN - The Lordstown girls tennis team's run in the Division II sectional came to an end Wednesday.
In only their fifth season of existence as a tennis program, the Red Devils had two singles players and one doubles team qualify for sectionals.
In singles action at Boardman High School, Hannah Lickwar beat Ashley Markle of Ravenna 6-3, 6-2 in the first round, Lakeview's Madeline Noble in the second round 2-6, 7-6, 6-0, before she fell to West Branch's Madeline Mitchell in the third round. In her first-round match, Daisy Free defeated Christine Kerrigan of Ursuline 6-3, 6-0, but she then lost in the second round to Poland's Cara Palusak.
"Very good," Lordstown coach Joe Ronghi said. "We had one of our singles girls Hannah (Lickwar) make it to the third round which is one of our goals. Hannah had a great run. She beat a tough girl from Ravenna. In the second round she beat another quality player from Lakeview. Daisy Free made it to second round and lost to Poland."
In doubles competition at Volney Rogers Courts in Youngstown, the team of Marina Patitucci and Melanie Fisher beat Lauren Rosinisky and Katie Schrader of Ursuline 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and then lost to West Branch's Anna Dillon and Emily Carlton in the second round.
"It's always good for us being a fifth year team," Ronghi said. "The goal is always to make it out of the first round."
The district tournament will be in Canton next week.
DIVISION I GIRLS TENNIS SECTIONAL: CANTON - After having both its singles player and doubles team advance beyond the first round, Howland's season came to an end Wednesday as Michelle Lussier lost in the third round to Danielle Beyes of Green 6-1, 6-0. In doubles, Mirna Tatic and Michelle Griffin won their third-round match over Nikki Wenick and Ashley Hanushak of Fitch 6-3, 6-2, before they lost in the fourth round to North Canton Hoover's Nicholette Bourlas and Natalie Bourlas 6-4, 6-1. "Everybody did well. Michelle played a very strong girl," Howland coach Paul Newlove said. "The Hoover team is very strong. They were the fourth-seeded team. Everybody did well."
