After six times of getting so close, the Pioneers did better than expected once they got to the big stage.

      Maharishi School, seeded fourth in the four-team tournament, beat second-seeded Red Oak 5-3 in the consolation match to take third in their first appearance in the final four. The Pioneers (14-2) opened with a tough 6-3 setback to top-seeded Spirit Lake/Okoboji. Eyre's team was not embarrassed at any point.

      "We came up here just wanting to play with some dignity and energy," the coach said. "I was pleased with both matches. I thought we had a chance to beat Red Oak, but it was a matter if we had enough gas left in the tank after three long days of tennis. The girls were remarkable and played their best tennis of the year."

      Maharishi School and Red Oak were all square 3-3 after singles play. Both teams had pulled out hard-fought matches to get in the win column, and each squad split three-set matches in singles play. Martha Davis, who finished sixth in the state singles competition, held off Melodia Morales 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (2) to give Red Oak a 2-0 lead. The Pioneers' Tasha Blitz pulled out a 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 win over Allison Bloom in the No. 4 singles match to tie the match 2-all. Dariana Travis withstood an 0-3 first-set deficit and then a rain delay in her match with Rachel Quinn, but rallied to take a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

      The Pioneers took both doubles matches, as Coral and Melodia Morales defeated Amy Pierson and Davis 6-4, 6-2. Avery Gibson and Travis defeated Brittney Browning and Andrea Metz 6-2, 6-3 to clinch the victory at 9:15 Saturday evening.

      For the complete story and scores, read the June 7 Fairfield Ledger.