ALEXANDRIA — The Alexandria girls tennis team featured many players in 2021 who were getting accustomed to big roles on varsity, and that means the Cardinals enter this fall season with a little more experience under their belt.
“We bring back most of our singles lineup and a chunk of our doubles lineup, so we are hoping to start the year with a bit more confidence than last year,” second-year head coach Nick Jansen said. “But ultimately, we have the same goal -- improve as much as possible so that we can be playing our best tennis come playoffs.”
MaKenna Aure, Trista Craig, Isabella Hagen, Ella Halvorson, Riley Nyberg and Hakyma Von Bargen are athletes who have to be replaced from last season.
Back with experience to help lead the way are Rachel Wagner (12), Marisa Rousu (11), Jalyn Halverson (11), Kylie Lattimer (11), Ayla Rolin (11), Chelby Runge (12), Teresa Bitzan (12), Hadyn Halverson (12), Meredith Sundby (11), Madalyn Husfeldt (11), Allison Trombley (12), and Morgan Aure (10).
“A major strength is the mentality of this group,” Jansen said. “They are very coachable and push each other to improve.”
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Jansen sees Brainerd and the St. Cloud Crush as the teams to beat in the Central Lakes Conference. Bemidji enters as a top team in Section 8-2A.
Jansen said one area the team needs to improve on as the season progresses is finding ways to win under pressure in big matches as the Cardinals try to be competitive with some of these top teams in both the conference and section fields.
“Practicing is one thing, but being out on the court in a close match is something you can only learn by doing,” Jansen said.
2022 ALEXANDRIA GIRLS TENNIS
SENIORS - Rachel Wegner, Allison Trombley, Chelby Runge, Haydn Halverson, Teresa Bitzan; JUNIORS - Daria Shyroka, Meredith Sundby, Marisa Rousu, Ayla Rolin, Rita Reed, Julia Nelson, Kylie Lattimer, Jozie Kron, Madalyn Husfeldt, Jalyn Halverson, Riyada Copeland; SOPHOMORES - Katelyn Thiery, Sydni Rehovsky, Vegas Pederson, Grace Opp, Emily Olson, Faith Odland, Rachael Mohr, Eva Liden, Grace Johnson, Ivy Jeseritz, Dasha Hohn, Katelyn Henning, Anneka Gulbranson, Olivia Gervais, Grace Bugher, Ellie Bierman, Morgan Aure, Emma Arnquist, Olivia Aker; FRESHMEN - Kendall Swenson, Cadence Simon, Quinnlin Sayre, Kylee Sagedahl, Lilly Porter, Autumn Pazdernik, Hailey Ness, Holly Meyer, Carleigh Lueck, Maari Kvidt, Ava Jones, Marin Halvorson, Macie Hernfolz, Jacey Crouse
COACHES - Head coach - Nick Jansen; Assistant coaches - Kaytlin Ahlquist, Jackie Stifter
ALEXANDRIA GIRLS TENNIS SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 Bemidji Triangular, Noon
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Aug. 25 vs Willmar, 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 Home Quad, 10 a.m.
Aug. 30 vs Sauk Rapids-Rice, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 at Fergus Falls, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 vs Sartell, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Willmar, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 Home Quad, 10 a.m.
Sept. 13 at Rocori, 4:30 p.m.
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Sept. 15 vs St. Cloud Crush, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 19 Home Quad, 3 p.m.
Sept. 20 at Brainerd, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Sauk Rapids-Rice, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 vs Perham, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 vs Fergus Falls, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Sartell, 4:30 p.m.
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