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May 14—JAMESTOWN — Spring 2025 has been a different type of year for members of the Jamestown High School tennis team.
It began on April 22.
Head coach Brock Burkett led the Blue Jays to their first, regular-season, conference team win since 2019 last month. The Blue Jays defeated Bismarck St. Mary's 6-3.
"Nobody on our team had ever experienced a team win like that," Burkett said. "It's been six years in the making. It was a different feeling — yeah, you are excited and there is a lot of emotions — happiness, joy — everything — but we got a piece of humble pie when we went to play Bismarck Century a few days later."
The Blue Jays fell 9-0 to the Patriots. The loss was one of seven conference losses. The Jays finished the year at 2-7 in the WDA and 4-10 overall. Jamestown's second win of the year came against Bismarck High on April 29. This last weekend, the Jays defeated Wahpeton 5-0 and Fargo South 4-1.
"When we went to the early bird tournament this year we knew that there were some teams up and down the lineup that would be challenging for us," Burkett said. "We also knew when we played some other teams, our top end of our lineup would carry us a little bit more.
"BHS was a good example of the top end needing to show up," he said. "We won all of our singles matches 1-4 and then we won at No. 1 doubles. We didn't have any gaps or misses in there which was exactly what we needed to do."
The Blue Jays played its entire conference schedule in 27 days — the majority of which came within a span of 10 days.
"It was a grind but I am hoping that when we get the rest here and kind of decompress we can come back for the postseason and be firing on all cylinders," Burkett said.
The Blue Jays are set to play a play-in match on May 19. As of May 12, Burkett said the Jays will likely be ranked as the No. 7 team.
"We didn't avoid (the play-in) situation altogether but when you look at the two teams who finished below us, they are both teams we have beaten during the regular season," Burkett said. "It's exciting to say, it wasn't just a random win one night. We got two wins against teams we match up well against. There is some confidence and excitement that comes with that."
Burkett said the success the Jays have found is a credit to the perseverance of his team members.
"Our skill level has grown immensely," Burkett said. "Now we are able to stay in matches and win more games which eventually leads to winning sets. Just about every match up we have had, we've had multiple three-set matches.
"Even though the scores don't necessarily show it, when you break the game down, it's remarkable to see how the girls have persevered the last couple years," he said. "Day in and day out, everybody is coming to practice, everybody is working hard. There is a strong will to compete on our team."
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It began on April 22.
Head coach Brock Burkett led the Blue Jays to their first, regular-season, conference team win since 2019 last month. The Blue Jays defeated Bismarck St. Mary's 6-3.
"Nobody on our team had ever experienced a team win like that," Burkett said. "It's been six years in the making. It was a different feeling — yeah, you are excited and there is a lot of emotions — happiness, joy — everything — but we got a piece of humble pie when we went to play Bismarck Century a few days later."
The Blue Jays fell 9-0 to the Patriots. The loss was one of seven conference losses. The Jays finished the year at 2-7 in the WDA and 4-10 overall. Jamestown's second win of the year came against Bismarck High on April 29. This last weekend, the Jays defeated Wahpeton 5-0 and Fargo South 4-1.
"When we went to the early bird tournament this year we knew that there were some teams up and down the lineup that would be challenging for us," Burkett said. "We also knew when we played some other teams, our top end of our lineup would carry us a little bit more.
"BHS was a good example of the top end needing to show up," he said. "We won all of our singles matches 1-4 and then we won at No. 1 doubles. We didn't have any gaps or misses in there which was exactly what we needed to do."
The Blue Jays played its entire conference schedule in 27 days — the majority of which came within a span of 10 days.
"It was a grind but I am hoping that when we get the rest here and kind of decompress we can come back for the postseason and be firing on all cylinders," Burkett said.
The Blue Jays are set to play a play-in match on May 19. As of May 12, Burkett said the Jays will likely be ranked as the No. 7 team.
"We didn't avoid (the play-in) situation altogether but when you look at the two teams who finished below us, they are both teams we have beaten during the regular season," Burkett said. "It's exciting to say, it wasn't just a random win one night. We got two wins against teams we match up well against. There is some confidence and excitement that comes with that."
Burkett said the success the Jays have found is a credit to the perseverance of his team members.
"Our skill level has grown immensely," Burkett said. "Now we are able to stay in matches and win more games which eventually leads to winning sets. Just about every match up we have had, we've had multiple three-set matches.
"Even though the scores don't necessarily show it, when you break the game down, it's remarkable to see how the girls have persevered the last couple years," he said. "Day in and day out, everybody is coming to practice, everybody is working hard. There is a strong will to compete on our team."
Continue reading...
