Wawasee one doubles partners Natalie Fritz (left) and Molly Smith share a laugh with Central Noble’s Madeline Fair just before their opening match Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Mike Deak)

SYRACUSE — It was a wonder if March was going to concede any sort of varsity movement at Wawasee High School. Thursday finally permitted a day of play, and the girls tennis program took advantage.

Despite a 3-2 loss to visiting Central Noble on the varsity courts, Wawasee were very happy to finally get outside and swing against different faces.

“It was a start for us,” began Wawasee head coach Chris Winters. “We did some things well but was also obvious that we have a lot of fundamental tennis to work on.”

Wawasee and Central both showed the ability to rally between themselves, with none of the five courts ending in lopsided scores. Wawasee earned its two court wins at two singles and two doubles. Esther Hermann took the singles win by outlasting Bonnie Wysong 6-4, 7-5 while the duo of Priscilla Par and Jada Antonides needed a big rally to defeat Allison Stangland and Tiarra Bridegam.

The Cougar duo took the first set, 6-4, while Wawasee bounced back to win set two 6-3. Tied at five games apiece in the third set, Wawasee held serve and claimed a 7-5 victory.

“Priscilla and Jada worked hard to come back for their win,” Winters said. “Esther Hermann looked strong at number two singles.”

Central’s Courtney Steele and Madeline Fair had the most convincing of the three wins, taking the one doubles match over Natalie Fritz and Molly Smith two and two. In singles play, Marlee Concord defeated Katy Ashpole on the one singles court 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) while Emily Maneke held on for a three and four triumph over Sam Prins at three singles.

On the JV courts, Wawasee won four of the five matches. Krissa Keaffaber, Chelsea Carolus and Jaclyn Miller all earned singles victories while Ashley Larson and Jazlyn Gehlhausen teamed up for a doubles win.

Wawasee (0-1) are scheduled to take the court again on April 8 in a home date against Lakeland.