Spencer, Ia (Northwest Iowa Now) – The Spencer Tennis Team hosted Sergeant Bluff-Luton on Wednesday for the Class 1A Region 4 Semifinals.

The #1 seed Tigers defeated the #4 seed Warriors to open up the season 7-2. Sergeant Bluff-Luton took two of the six singles matches, meaning Spencer could pick up the win with just one doubles victory.

Due to a wet surface, the teams were playing indoors, so only two courts were available at a time. Both Doubles matches were intense and closely contested. Kennedy Graettinger and Brynn Merchant, who have already qualified for the State Doubles Tournament, took the first set 7-5, but fell in the 2nd 6-1, forcing a 1-game, first one to 10 tiebreaker. The Tiger duo picked up the win with a 10-7 win in the tiebreaker, sealing the team victory for Spencer. Graettinger talked about how they were able to bounce back after a rough second set.

The Sergeant Bluff-Luton #1 doubles team that played Graettinger and Merchant was made up of two athletes that each qualified for the State Singles Tournament. Merchant said it prepared them for their trip to State Doubles.

The Tigers advance to the Regional Championship on Saturday when they host Bishop Heelan of Sioux City. Jill Kabrick says it will take a team effort for Spencer to advance back to the State Tournament for the 3rd time in 4 years.