It took a few games, but Abby Olson shook off her rust just in time.

The Lawrence High senior was down 4-0 in her No. 1 singles match to Shawnee Mission South’s Stephanie Cooper, who was dominating with powerful baseline strokes and forcing Olson’s backhand.

Lawrence High's Abby Olson hits a return. Olson defeated Shawnee Mission South's Stephanie Cooper, 8-5, Wednesday afternoon at Lawrence Tennis Center.

Olson had enough.

“I haven’t played a match in two weeks,” she said. “It’s just been a while. She was really consistent. After the first couple games I got down on myself and needed to refocus.”

She did, winning eight of the next nine games and taking the match 8-5. Once she eliminated unforced errors and forced Cooper to run the baseline, Olson reeled off games. Tied at five, she broke Cooper’s serve by charging the net and hitting a low passing shot. There was no doubt from that point, though Olson wanted to kick herself for making the match so difficult.

Part of the problem was Cooper’s unfamiliarity. Tennis players run in the same circles, but Olson had never met Cooper.

“It’s kind of nerve-racking,” Olson said. “I know a lot of the people from Kansas City and we all play the same tournaments, so when someone you don’t know comes in, it’s like a wild card because they can be really good.”

It was Lawrence’s only win against the Raiders, losing, 3-1.

No. 2 singles player Sydney Lartigue lost 8-5, and the No. 1 doubles team of Becca Fritzel and Sara Olson lost 8-4. At No. 2 doubles, Jac Samp and Ashley Woodward lost 8-6.

¢ LHS tennis meets area teams in an afternoon triangular

The Lions righted themselves against Olathe South, sweeping the Falcons 4-0 for a 3-2 record in duals this season.

Sara Olson won at No. 1 singles, beating Lisa Coleman 8-4, and Fritzel won 8-6 at No. 2 singles. Abby Olson and Lartigue dominated at No. 1 doubles, winning 8-4, and the No. 2 doubles team of Carrie Jones and Cara Breeden won, 8-2.

“Who can explain it?” LHS coach Dick Wedel said of the opposite outcomes.

“They just played better. They kind of played soft in that first one, but did better in the second.”

“Sara played a real strong round, she just played real well; Becca Fritzel played as well as I’ve ever seen her play, as we say, she played within herself; Sydney and Abby played well, it was just better.”

The Lions are still searching for the right playing varsity playing combinations, pairing Olsons, Fritzell and Lartigue and allowing each a chance at singles slots.

“At this time of year, I want to see as many possibilities as I can,” Wedel said. “I listen to them, they listen to mine, whatever we can get to work.”