MANLIUS - Claire Minnoe's first taste of the NYSPHSAA Tennis Championships was a small one, but she's determined to be back.

The Auburn eighth-grader lost in the first round to Albany Academy's Sarah Kandath, 6-2, 6-2, at the Eastside Racquet Club in Manlius on Saturday.

Kandath, a sophomore, played a similar but more powerful game than Minnoe, giving her the ultimate edge.

“They both had a very similar style of game,” Maroons coach Shelly Connors said. “(Kandath) played more clean-cut and was a little more fine-tuned though, but that comes with the experience.”

Later in the day, Minnoe lost in the consolation round to Williamsville East's Miranda Podlas, 6-0. Podlas is a junior and a state tournament veteran.

Minnoe didn't expect to advance far and was mainly interested in the experience the tournament would give her in future attempts.

“I definitely knew it was not going to be easy,” Minnoe said. “I am hoping to use the experience I gained here today to improve.” “We knew the competition at the state tournament was going to be much more difficult,” Connors added. “This is a great opportunity for her to have, as an eighth-grader, to be more productive at raising her skill level. She is a hard worker and deserved this opportunity.”

It was also the first state opportunity for Kandath, who didn't take the age difference lightly.

“I did not think that she would be easy to beat,” Kandath said. “I knew that she was a very good player from seeing her play and hearing everyone say how much she has improved, so I did not know what to expect. I am really excited that I made it past the first round though, I have a lot to live up to in my family with my brother having two state championship titles.”

Kandath's brother, Matt Kandath, played in the U.S. Open Junior Tournament this year, making it past the first round only to lose in the second to the eventual champion.

Minnoe said that knowing all of this about Kandath only kept her in check of how tough of a player she was going up against.

“I didn't really get nervous at all,” Minnoe said. “I knew how I was going to play and that if I win, I win. If not at least I gained knowledge and got to see what the state championships is like.”

Both sets were tied 2-2 before Kandath jumped ahead, which Minnoe said was mainly due to a lack of power on her end.

“My serve really needed more power behind it,” Minnoe said. “I just couldn't get enough power in it and so she kept returning it. I also needed more variety in my game, so I know what I need to work on for next year.”

With four years still to play at the high school level, Minnoe and Connors are focusing on her upside. There was little disappointment to be seen from the Auburn troop even after the loss.

“I got to see the top players in the state and their different styles and games,” Minnoe said. “That is a big opportunity for someone as young as me. My goal this year was to make this tournament, and I did it. I am definitely walking out of here proud of that. I will keep working on my game this winter and hopefully I will be back next year to make it even further.”