Rounding out its busy week, the girls varsity tennis team played host to Portage Central on Saturday. Reeling from a win in their dual over Lowell, the girls entered the match with high morale. However, despite dominating the doubles category, FHC fell short 5-3 to the Mavericks.

The matchup with Portage Central brought exceptionally high stakes, as the teams hoped to capture a win against a solid opponent. The Rangers’ strength of schedule this season is reflected by such a matchup; the ability for FHC to face off against such talented programs will pay off down the road.

“I want us to compete against the best and win or loss; I want our players to battle until the last point is finished,” head coach Dan Bolhouse said. “Intense matches teach so many valuable life lessons in just a couple of hours that people will remember for the rest of their lives.”

On the day, FHC’s wins came exclusively from doubles. Senior Olivia Hooper and sophomore Megan Fox pulled out a victory in three sets, likewise to a doubles victory from senior Maddie Knoor and junior Leila Gonzalez. The scorching-hot duo of sophomore Ella Hunnewell and freshman Lucy Wu posted yet another victory in three sets, as every single Ranger win came from a three-set showdown.

Unfortunately for FHC, the trifecta of doubles victories was not enough to push the team over the edge of triumph. However, such a loss presents a valuable experience that the team’s solid core can build on.

“Even with a loss, playing such tough competition allows the whole team to learn from any mistakes we may have made,” Olivia Hooper said. “It just makes us better overall because we are able to learn some different skills and techniques from our competition.”

In the upcoming week, the girls varsity tennis team returns to action in a pair of duals. The Rangers host Grand Rapids Christian on Tuesday, April 27, shortly before taking on East Grand Rapids at home on Thursday, April 29. Both matches will take place at 4:15 PM on the FHC tennis courts.