OBSERVER Staff Report

WILLIAMSVILLE — Fredonia’s Alicia Kluck finished off her high school career with a top eight finish at Saturday’s Section VI Girls Tennis Tournament held at the Miller Tennis Center in Williamsville. She had a singles match in the first round that lasted over three hours, beating Madison Enser of Clarence 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.

“She outlasted her opponent in a match that can only be described as a test of inner strength and physical fitness,” said Fredonia coach Lisa Johnston. Kluck overcame a second set loss to fight back and go up 5-1, in a set that lasted over an hour. There were eight deuce points at 5-1, and although Kluck lost that game, she composed herself to win the set 6-2 and the match.

Kluck then had a 20 minute break before she played the 3-seed, Paige Szymusiak, of Lancaster. Kluck started off strong with a 3-0 lead surprising her opponent, but then Szymusiak rallied back to win in straight sets. The match was the end to a fantastic high school career for Kluck at Fredonia. She came in second in the county in 2018 and 2019, and top eight in Sectionals in each of those years.

“I have never been more proud of Alicia than I was today,” said Johnston on Saturday.

Fredonia’s Bernie Gens defeated Riley Zuber, of Williamsville South, 6-1, 6-0, but then lost 0-6, 0-6 to Courtney Kessler, of Williamsville North. Kessler later fell to the top seed, Madeleine Eiss of Clarence. The loss was Bernie Gens’ only loss for the season.

“Bernie capped off another excellent year. I am very proud of both of these girls. They play a lot in the offseason and attend camps and clinics to improve their games,” said Johnston.

Paige Szymusiak, who beat Alicia Kluck, came in third place at Sectionals and will go to States in Latham, this coming weekend representing Section VI, along with Eiss and Grand Island’s Kiersten Brown, the top two seeds.