Facing a tough opponent and the wind, Rapid City Stevens girls tennis senior Sylvie Mortimer persevered.
In her No. 2 singles match against Rapid City Christian senior Evie Biers, Mortimer made adjustments as she clawed back from down 5-2 to eventually take a lead win the back-and-forth match 10-8. Mortimer stayed undefeated, and so did the Raiders in a 9-0 win Thursday evening at Sioux Park in Rapid City.
"She's definitely a great player," Mortimer said after the win. "I think I got in my head a little bit, but I focused up again. I just had to relax, calm down. And then I closed it out."
Mortimer said she had to content with Biers' "moon balls," high lofts that slowed the pace at times.
"I can definitely get the ball in more but I usually want to hit it as hard as I can. In that match, I have to play smart and be more consistent and definitely think more, strategize," Mortimer said. "She's a great player. That's a great match."