Competing for the first time at the State Tournament can be a daunting experience, but it certainly didn’t affect Tremper freshman Megan Humphreys.

The Trojans’ No. 1 singles player breezed through her first-round match in defeating Muskego’s Amy Upthagrove, 6-1, 6-1 at the WIAA Division-1 State Individual Tournament Thursday at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison.

“Megan just owned (Upthagrove),” Tremper co-coach Tom Pacetti said. “She just goes out there and does her thing and knows how to win points. Megan doesn’t get rattled or upset or show any type of negative emotion. She is playing really, really well.”

Humphreys (23-7) plays DeForest’s Katherine Karapysh (18-5) in a second-round match 10 a.m. today. The winner will likely take on third-seeded Jennifer Winston (22-7) of Nicolet 3 p.m. today for a spot in the quarterfinals.

“Megan is one of those girls you definitely have to look out for,” Pacetti said. “People are just starting to take notice of her. If you were to take her lightly, you’d be making a mistake.”

Tremper’s No. 1 doubles team of Jenna Humphreys and Brianna Riley (23-7) wasn’t as fortunate in falling to Nicolet’s Erica Lurie and Rebecca Raj, 4-6, 6-2 (10). Jenna Humphreys and Riley played to a 9-9 tie in the tiebreaker, but couldn’t force match point.

“It was a heart-breaker,” Pacetti said. “They dominated the first set and then were down early in the second set. Both teams were making shots and it turned into a very tight match. It was probably the best match of the night.”

Bradford’s Trina Capelli also suffered a first-round exit in falling to Rhinelander’s Priyanka Sikka, 6-3, 6-3.

Karyn Guttormsen, the Red Devils’ No. 1 singles player, received a first-round bye. The seventh-seeded Guttormsen (27-1) plays Greendale’s Lauren Piotrowski (15-5) in the second round 10 a.m. today.

Division-2

With the thought of playing perhaps her final high school match, St. Joseph senior Gina Matteucci pulled off a thriller in defeating Regis’ Annie Lindsay, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4) in the first round of the WIAA Division-2 State Individual Tournament.

Matteucci (22-2) advanced to the second round and faces top-seeded Shannon Etten (25-1) of Xavier 11:30 a.m. today.

“Even though Gina has to play the number one seed now, she doesn’t care,” St. Joseph coach Gail Bedore said. “She didn’t want to go out in the first round.”

The Lancers’ No. 1 doubles team of Alaina Anderson and Megan Irving (17-8) also came out on top in defeating East Troy’s Paige Klumb and Taryn Knudsen, 7-5, 7-6(3). The Lancer freshmen face top-seeded Elissa Halla and Natalie Foster (24-1) of Roncalli in the second round 12:30 p.m. today.

St. Joseph’s Amanda Dick received a first-round bye. Dick, the No. 3 seed, plays Shorewood’s Lydia Hellwig (13-9) in a second-round match noon today.

Compiled by Jeffrey Zampanti