Alexandria girls' tennis: Cards finish second in CLC

• Lukes

Rebecca Lukes, playing first singles for the Cardinal girls’ tennis team, defeated her St. Cloud Apollo opponent 6-1, 6-1 Tuesday. The Cards will now begin Setion team competition today, Friday, and will take on Fergus Falls in the first round. (Echo Press photo by Eric Morken)

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The regular season is in the books for the Alexandria girls’ tennis team after a 7-0 win over St. Cloud Apollo Tuesday night. The Cardinals finished with a second place finish in the Central Lakes Conference, just two matches behind undefeated champion St. Cloud Apollo.

“We finish the season 20-2 overall and 9-2 in the conference,” said head coach Dave Ronning. “Our only losses this season came at the hands of the St. Cloud Tech Tigers, and we hope to get a chance to avenge that in the section tournament.”

That opportunity begins today, Friday, at 10:30 a.m. when the Cardinals, who were seeded No. 2 in the Section 8AA tournament, face the Fergus Falls Otters at the Evolution Fitness Club in Sartell during the first round of tourney action.

Alexandria didn’t have any problems in its final match as the Cardinals swept at all seven positions.

“The Cardinals surrendered just six games throughout the entire singles and doubles lineup, never losing more than one game in any set,” said Ronning.

“It was senior night and we took the time to honor our five seniors in Rebecca Lukes, Jessica Larson, Jenna Hedstrom, Miranda Sater and Madison Groettum. These girls have played a vital part in the success we have enjoyed, not only this season, but for the past three and four seasons. They have shown outstanding leadership qualities on and off the courts, and the energy they bring every day has spread throughout the team and made us a strong competitor every year.

“My hope as a coach is that our seniors have enjoyed their experience and that they will carry memories that will last a lifetime,” he added.

ALEXANDRIA 7, ST. CLOUD APOLLO 0

SINGLES

No. 1 – Rebecca Lukes, Alex, def. Megan Brennen 6-1, 6-1, No. 2 – Ellie Bergstrand, Alex, def. Beauty Flowers 6-0, 6-1, No. 3 – Carly Snell, Alex, def. Ashley Gregerson 6-1, 6-0, No. 4 – Bria Schueler, Alex, def. Remmington Deyak 6-0, 6-0.

DOUBLES

No. 1 – Jessica Larson-Jenna Hedstrom, Alex, def. Shalen Anderson-Katie Ford 6-1, 6-0, No. 2 – Kim Wilkins-Marissa Wheeler, Alex, def. Bobbi Milner-Autumn Thiel 6-0, 6-1, No. 3 – Rachel Sjostrnd-Miranda Sater, Alex, def. Kyron Dezeeuw-Cheklsey Hafnter 6-0, 6-0.

SECTION 8AA TEAM TENNIS TOURNAMENT

NORTH RANKINGS – 1. Bemidji, 2. Alexandria, 3. Brainerd, 4. Thief River Falls, 5. Moorhead, 6. Detroit Lakes, 7. Fergus Falls.

OPENING ROUND

Bemidji bye

Alexandria vs. Fergus Falls

Brainerd vs. Detroit Lakes

Thief River Falls vs. Moorhead

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, girls, tennis