GLENWOOD — The Minnewaska girls tennis program has been a consistent threat as one of the top teams in Section 6A in recent seasons, and longtime head coach Tara Reichmann will try to build toward that again with a young, athletic group this fall.
“We have some great athletes, but lack experience,” Reichmann said. “The majority of our players will be 7th through 10th-graders, so they will definitely need to work hard, stay focused and gain experience. They have nothing to lose and can just relax and have fun.”
Alissa Thorfinnson, Maddie Thorfinnson, Olivia Richards, Leah Hagen and Addy Randt are key players lost to graduation from last year’s team.
“We will need to gain valuable experience and step up to fill the shoes of our veteran players that have graduated,” Reichmann said. “It will be tough shoes to fill.”
Megan Thorfinnson, Sydney Dahl, Alia Randt, Olivia Bleick, Grace Jensen, Zoey Elwood, and Livi Danielson are part of the group of players who return with various levels of varsity experience to help lead this year’s team.
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“Livi Danielson saw minimal amount of varsity experience last year but did get some early on last fall. Zoey Elwood was out for last season, but did play varsity the year before, and Avarie Uhde all saw some varsity experience,” Reichmann said. “We have several underclassmen that have the opportunity to move up if they work hard.”
Reichmann is in her 24th season coaching at Minnewaska. She has an overall record of 457-247 (329-132 girls; 128-115 boys). Reichmann sees this fall as a rebuilding year for the girls where young athletes will have a chance to grow at the varsity level.
“I see us as a young team with a lot of athletic ability, but we lack experience,” Reichmann said. “It will be fun to watch them gain experience and confidence throughout the year and keep building on their skills.”
Reichmann said Lac qui Parle Valley is a top team in the West Central Conference. She predicts Osakis and Litchfield will be the teams to beat in the Section 6A Tournament.
Section 6 is an 8-team field with Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Melrose, New London-Spicer, Sauk Centre and St. John’s Prep joining Osakis, Minnewaska and Litchfield.
MINNEWASKA GIRLS TENNIS - HEAD COACH - Tara Reichmann - 24th season, 329-132 girls coaching record; Assistant coach - Chad Quelle
MINNEWASKA GIRLS TENNIS SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 at Roseau Invite, 10:30 a.m.
Aug. 20 vs Park Rapids, 9 a.m.
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Aug. 29 at Brainerd Invite, 9 a.m.
Aug 30 at Benson/KMS, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 vs Morris/Chokio-Alberta, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 at Montevideo, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 vs Lac Qui Parle Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Yellow Medicine East, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 vs MACCRAY, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 vs New London-Spicer, 4:30 p.m.
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Sept. 22 vs Melrose, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 at Sauk Centre, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Osakis, 4 p.m.
Oct. 1 Conference Tournament
Oct. 3 vs Staples-Motley, 4 p.m.
Oct. 6 Section 6A Playoffs
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