As expected, the Stevens Raiders cruised on day 1 of the Greater Dakota Conference tennis tournament. Stevens opened with two victories on Monday, improving to 19-0 on the season. The Raiders topped both Sioux Falls Washington and Lincoln by the score of 9-0.

“We had some adversity at the beginning of last season after losing a player, and then we had a player go down to injury this season and I thought ‘oh, no, here we go again’, but this group has responded, and I think that is because they are so close. We lost our number three player, Lindsey Tibbles, and she is a great player. Alyssa Mastel has stepped in as a senior and is having a great year. All of our of our girls just compete.”

(Photos Jake Nordbye/IDS)

The real clash happens today when the Raiders meet Sioux Falls O’Gorman. Stevens knocked off O’Gorman, 5-4, on Sept. 10 in a five-hour dual in Aberdeen. It was the Knights first loss in 98 matches, a streak that dated back to 2006.

“The last dual was remarkable, O’Gorman is always tough,” said Olson. “We didn’t do too well when we played them early this season at the Rapid City Invite, but the girls really responded in the last match. Now we have them again tomorrow. I know we’re going to compete and we expect to win. From there, whatever happens, happens.”