By Cort Reynolds<\/p>\n
PORT CLINTON \u2013 Bluffton High School senior tennis player Hannah Nieman competed hard before being eliminated on day one of the Division II district tournament at Port Clinton High School on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Nieman lost her first match in the round of 16 to one of the four number one seeds in the district by a 6-0, 6-1 score.<\/p>\n
\u201cHannah’s run came to an end today at districts, falling in her first match, and what a tough draw it was,\u201d said coach Trisha Nieman. \u201cShe faced one of the strongest, most unpredictable players we’ve seen all season in Port Clinton\u2019s Anastasia Hughes.<\/p>\n
Port Clinton had a strong presence at districts, and it was their home court. PC senior Hughes had a 33-2 overall record, including 27-2 in singles, prior to Districts. Nieman came into Port Clinton as one of the four number four seeds after finishing fourth in the UNOH sectionals.<\/p>\n
\u201cHannah battled through injuries this year, still managing to play nine matches with a record 6-3,\u201d said coach Nieman. \u201cShe did retire from one match.\u00a0Each one Hannah took on with determination and grit.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Coach Don Walters said best, \u2018Hannah just ran out of time. She was starting to figure her opponent out as the match went on.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHughes was unorthodox\u2013every serve looked different, every point had a twist,\u201d she explained. \u201cJust when you thought you had her rhythm, she’d switch it up. It kept Hannah on her toes the entire match, and she fought through every moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hughes then lost in the quarterfinals to Maumee Valley Country Day junior Valentina Buchkova 6-1, 6-1. Buchkova will play Ottawa-Glandorf senior Maggie Schmiedebusch, who won the UNOH sectional singles title, in the semifinals Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are incredibly proud of Hannah,\u201d noted Nieman. \u201cNot just for her wins, but for her composure, fight and growth. She played quality tennis all season long, and today was no exception. We thank everyone for their support and wonderful words they have shared about Hannah’s tennis.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHannah can absolutely hold her head high. She represented Bluffton tennis with toughness, class and heart,\u201d the coach added.<\/p>\n
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