The Alexandria girls tennis team played a tight match against Willmar on Thursday in its home opener where three matches went to third sets, but Willmar found a way to win down the stretch in a 5-2 final that completed the season sweep of Alexandria.

“The team this year has brought a ton of positive energy and spirit to practice and matches," first-year head coach Nick Jansen said of how this young Alexandria team is progressing. "That was the top priority of the captains and it's definitely the culture of our team this year. We have also played a lot of different girls in our top 10 and the team has embraced that we have so many girls close in talent as a strength, and no matter where you at in the lineup , you are a key contributor to our team's success."

Captains MaKenna Aure and Hakyma Von Bargen teamed up at first doubles against Willmar to get a three-set win by a 4-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4 final. Isabella Hagen and Trista Craig got the Cardinals’ other point at third doubles, but Willmar swept the singles lineup and added a win at second doubles from Kylee Berget and Lizzie Eide.

"In terms of progress, I think there have just been a lot of firsts to get out of the way," Jansen said. "First loss, first win, first 3-set match. Each match they are put in a new situation and they have to figure out how to respond. We just need to continue to learn and use each experience to make us better for the next match."

WILLMAR 5, ALEXANDRIA 2

SINGLES - No. 1 - Kessa Mara (W) def. Marisa Rousu, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-1; No. 2 - Allison Bruhn (W) def. Rachel Wegner, 7-6 (4), 6-3; No. 3 - Caroline Becker (W) def. Kylie Lattimer, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4; No. 4 - Adali Laidlaw (W) def. Jalyn Halverson, 6-2, 6-2

DOUBLES - No. 1 - MaKenna Aure/Hakyma Von Bargen (A) def. Alise Staebell/Ashlie Staebell, 4-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4; No. 2 - Kylee Berget/Lizzie Eide (W) def. Chelby Runge/Ayla Rolin, 6-3, 6-3; No. 3 - Isabella Hagen/Trista Craig (A) def. Emmi Larson/Heidi Kath, 6-4, 6-1

Osakis piling up wins

Osakis is starting to get on a roll after dropping a couple of matches early in the season.

The Silverstreaks improved to 7-2 on Thursday by beating Pierz in a 7-0 match. Mara VanNyhuis, Leah Maddock, Kennedy George and Lexi Spychalla all won in singles. The duos of Ellie George and Larissa Hoffarth and Tessa Stanek and Makenzie Lien took three-setters, while Bria Hoffarth and Madeline Anderson completed the sweep with the third-doubles win.

“We had really good straight-set wins from Leah, Kennedy, Lexi and our third doubles of Bria and Madeline,” head coach Ryan Maddock said. “They played very well in jumping out front early and never letting up. Mara, Ellie and Larissa, and Makenzie and Tessa showed a lot of toughness in not getting down when things were not going their way in getting third-set wins.”

OSAKIS 7, PIERZ 0

SINGLES - No. 1 - Mara VanNyhuis (O) def. Maddie Andrea, 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-2; No. 2 - Leah Maddock (O) def. Megan Girtz, 6-0, 6-1; No. 3 - Kennedy George (O) def. Chrissy Schoefer, 6-2, 6-4; No. 4 - Lexi Spychalla (O) def. Alex Thielen, 6-1, 6-2

DOUBLES - No. 1 - Ellie George/Larissa Hoffarth (O) def. Morgan Pohlkamp/Brittney Schommer, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1; No. 2 - Makenzie Lien/ Tessa Stanek (O) def. Kenna Otte/Rylee Kapsner, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4; No. 3 - Bria Hoffarth/Madeline Anderson (O) def. Summer Woitalla/Cameryn Herold, 6-0, 6-2; Exhibition - Hatti Schmidtbauer/Madi Collins (O) def. Abbie Virnig/Lily Posner, 8-2

Minnewaska sweeps Melrose

Minnewaska had no problems putting away Melrose in a 7-0 win on Thursday.

MINNEWASKA 7, MELROSE 0

SINGLES - No. 1 - Alissa Thorfinnson (Waska) def. Alexis Baumann, 6-2, 6-2; No. 2 - Addy Randt (Waska) def. Emily Rieland, 6-3, 6-1; No. 3 - Leah Hagen (Waska) def. Anessa Redepenning, 6-0, 6-0; No. 4 - Megan Thorfinnson (Waska) def. Abigail Welle, 6-0, 6-0

DOUBLES - No. 1 - Maddie Thorfinnson/Olivia Richards (Waska) def. Jamie Klasen/Jasmine Golla, 6-1, 6-0; No. 2 - Sydney Dahl/Olivia Bleick (Waska) def. Jessica Pohlmann/Madison Baysinger, 6-1, 6-1; No. 3 - Grace Jensen/Alia Randt (Waska) def. Ava Thelen/Macy Davis, 6-2, 6-1