Seabury Academy's Gabrielle Dillon returns a shot in her No. 1 doubles match against a team from Kansas City Christian. Dillon and Brooke Sutherland won their match, and each won a singles match in the Seahawks' 6-3 loss Friday at Seabury.

It had been more than a week since Seabury Academy’s Gabrielle Dillon had picked up a tennis racket.

On Friday against Kansas City Christian, Dillon got back to the court and was back in form – though the Seahawks lost the dual, 6-3.

“This past week was hell being out. It was awful,” said Dillon, who has been battling a sprained elbow and migraines. “I was just watching people practice and was like, ‘Can I please be out there?’ It’s too tempting. : It’s a mental sport, and that’s exactly what you have to do. And it came out better than I thought.”

Dillon paired with Brooke Sutherland for an 8-7 (7-5) victory over K.C. Christian’s Leigh Sunderland and Suzie Kahler at No. 1 doubles.

The Seahawks started off slowly, however, having to battle back from an early 4-1 deficit.

“I think in the beginning there were some little things because we hadn’t played together for a couple of days,” Sutherland said. “You kind of get in a rhythm with each other when you play a lot. So having not done that, it was a little rough, and I think that might have been the reason for our dismal first couple of games.

“But once we got back into the swing of things, it started going well. She never complained about anything, so I think she’s doing well.”

After her long doubles match, Dillon went straight into playing the No. 2 singles match against Liz Gittemeier, where Dillon claimed an easier 8-3 victory.

“I still am shocked that she didn’t pull out some more games,” Dillon said. “What I focused on was hitting heavy top spin on my serves and heavy top spin on my forehand, and that really helped me a lot. By just doing those simple things, it made it harder for her to hit stronger shots back at me.”

Things weren’t quite as easy for Sutherland in her match with Bre Alholm at No. 1 singles.

With four lead changes and five ties, Sutherland was able to win the final two games for an 8-6 victory.

“We had some really long points, and it was a little tiring,” Sutherland said. “But it was fun. I’m glad finally. It would have been tough coming out doing all that work and then losing. So I’m glad I pulled it off.”

Seabury will play host to Leavenworth Immaculata at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.