While it’s certainly a popular idiom, the third time isn’t always the charm. Sometimes, it takes a fourth attempt.
Springfield Central downed Kickapoo 5-2 in the Class 2, District 11 championship and, in doing so, avenged three-straight postseason losses to its southside rival.
After falling to Kickapoo in each of the past three seasons, the win proved to be a breakthrough moment for Central and head coach Jeff Fisher. While the Lady Bulldogs beat the Lady Chiefs 7-2 and 5-2 during the regular season, the postseason is another matter.
“I give Kickapoo a lot of credit,” Fisher said. “It’s been a little bitter, losing to them the last couple years. I know that was on the minds of all the girls, and it was on my mind. I’m proud of the way they kept their composure, stepped it up and got it done.”
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Historically strong in doubles, Kickapoo boasts one of the area’s premier pairings in Raegen Brown and Claire Conway. The duo wasted little time getting the Lady Chiefs on the board.
Conway and Brown won their opening match 8-2 over Central’s Darika Shaibekova and Halena Hadi.
Unfortunately for Kickapoo, Central’s other doubles pairings weren’t quite as accommodating.
Meera Singhal and Avery VanDenBerg held off a late rally from Emillia Bratanov and Sarah Choe for the 8-5 win in No. 3 doubles, while the No. 2 group may have turned in the biggest surprise of the afternoon.
Madeleine Fulk and Evelyn VanDenBerg surged past Kickapoo’s Coral Tracy and Kylee Halverson in dominant fashion, winning the match 8-1.
The surprise?
Both Fulk and VanDenBerg are freshmen.
The underclass wasn’t done making noise, either.
Fulk, Central’s No. 4 singles player, downed Bratanov 6-4, 6-0 in a display of two significant weapons … a big forehand and a positive attitude.
“I tend to get a little down on myself after some tough points,” Fulk said. “So, the big key for me today was to just stay positive. I just wanted to tell myself I can do it after every point and keep my head up.”
As for performing on a big stage, Fulk was quick to credit Central’s camaraderie for her success.
“I would think there’d be a lot of pressure, but my teammates are really supportive of me,” Fulk said. “Whenever you’re out on the court and you have a bunch of girls cheering for you, it’s just a great experience.”
The singles matches followed the same pattern as their doubles counterparts.
Kickapoo showed dominance at the top of the roster, with No. 1 Tracy getting an early win over Singhal 6-2, 6-2.
Central then followed up with two of its own.
No. 5 Ruth Skolnick-Schur joined Fulk in the win column with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Bratanov.
With Central up 4-2, it seemed like only a matter of time before the district title would be leaving Gillenwaters Tennis Complex along with northern team; however, Kickapoo wasn’t about to go quietly.
Momentum appeared to be on the Lady Chiefs’ side in two of the final three matches; however, Avery VanDenBerg wasn’t about to let the title slip away from the Lady Bulldogs’ grasp.
Central’s No. 6 turned back a determined Halverson 6-2, 6-4 to close the door on Kickapoo and send the Lady Bulldogs onto the sectional round.
As the match went on, VanDenBerg became aware of her score’s importance.
“I’m kind of nosy when I play,” VanDenBerg said. “I was spying on everyone’s scores. Whenever Coach would come out, I’d ask him, ‘What’s Haleena’s score? What’s Darika’s score?’ So, I was a little nosy, but I like to know where I stand.”
Kickapoo (13-5) and head coach Eric Wilbur may have ended the season a bit earlier than desired, the outlook is bright with Conway the lone senior.
With both Tracy and Brown returning for senior campaigns, the Lady Chiefs could find themselves right back in the hunt next season.
“Some of these players on our varsity were junior varsity last year,” Wilbur said. “Having that season under their belts, we’re looking good. We could do something magical and maybe go back to the final four.”
Central (17-3) advances to sectional competition against the District 12 winner between Joplin and Raymore-Peculiar, while both teams will now prepare for Friday’s individual district tournament in Republic.
C2/D11 Final: Central – 5, Kickapoo – 2
Doubles
1. Raegan Brown/Claire Conway, Kickapoo def. Darika Shaibekova/Halena Hadi, Central 8-2
2. Madeleine Fulk/Evelyn VanDenBerg, Central def. Coral Tracy/Kylee Halverson, Kickapoo 8-1
3. Meera Singhal/Avery VanDenBerg, Central def. Emillia Bratanov/Sarah Choe, Kickapoo 8-5
Singles
1. Coral Tracy, Kickapoo def. Meera Singhal, Central 6-2, 6-2
4. Madeleine Fulk, Central def. Emillia Bratanov, Kickapoo 6-4, 6-0
5. Ruth Skolnick-Schur, Central def. Sarah Choe, Kickapoo 6-3, 6-0
6. Avery VanDenBerg, Central def. Kylee Halverson, Kickapoo 6-2, 6-4
