Alexandria girls' tennis: Alexandria topples Brainerd 5-2

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The Brainerd tennis team changed its lineup around from when it met Alexandria the first time this season, but the end result was the same as the Cardinals won 5-2 last Thursday night.

Alexandria got wins at first, third and fourth singles from Rebecca Lukes, Carly Snell and Bria Schueler, respectively. Snell had to overcome a loss in the first set and 3-4 deficit in the second. She did so by winning six straight games and nine of the final 11 to take the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Jessica Larson and Jenna Hedstrom won 7-5, 6-3 at first doubles. Rachel Sjostrand and Marissa Wheeler followed suit at second doubles. They fell behind 1-4 and 2-5 in their sets but came back to win both of them 7-6 (4), 7-5.

“It was a bit of a rough night but it was also a very good night,” head coach Dave Ronning said. “Any time we can beat Brainerd in tennis it is a good night. Our girls adapted to their changed lineup and several spots stepped it up in a big way.”

Kim Wilkins and Miranda Sater saw their unbeaten streak end at 18 matches this season. They have been staples in the win column for Alexandria at third doubles but came up short against the Warriors in a 6-2, 6-3 match.

“We’ve become so accustomed to Kim and Miranda winning at third doubles that we almost count on that point every match before it even starts,” Ronning said.

Their teammates were there to help them out as the Cardinals improved to 17-2 on the season and 8-2 in conference play.

MATCH RESULTS

Alexandria 5, Brainerd 2

SINGLES – No. 1 – Lukes (A) def. Megan Hintz, 6-3, 6-3; No. 2 – Sara Wennerstrand (B) def. Ellie Bergstrand, 6-2, 6-4; No. 3 – Snell (A) def. Caitlin Steffen, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2; No. 4 – Schueler (A) def. Chloe Glassman, 6-1, 6-3

DOUBLES – No. 1 – Larson/Hedstrom (A) def. Morgan Steffen/Natalie Comeau, 7-5, 6-3; No. 2 – Sjostrand/Wheeler (A) def. Rosy Hunter/Kristina Comeau, 7-6 (4), 7-5; No. 3 – Brooke Mimmack/Ashley Fitterer (B) def. Wilkins/Sater, 6-2, 6-3

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinal, girls, tennis