The Jaguars girls tennis team had a battle going against visiting New London-Spicer on Tuesday night in a non-conference match between two sub-section rivals.
In the end, two close matches that were up for grabs went the way of the Wildcats, as they won 5-2. Had those matches gone the other way, the Jaguars would've sent the Wildcats on the short trip back down Highway 71 as 4-3 losers.
Number one doubles players Amy Knutson and Kelly Reller won a close tiebreaker in the second set to win 6-3, 7-6 (9-7). Daisha Meyer also won a tiebreaker, at number three singles, to win in straight sets 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
Mattea Eckstein and Nicole Dokken, playing at number two doubles, fell after a super tiebreaker 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. Jordan Gruendemann and Mackenzie Winter lost a super tiebreaker match, with two sets having tiebreakers themselves, in a 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3) marathon at number three doubles.
It's quite remarkable how Coach Westrom has gotten her young varsity squad to compete at such a high level, going toe-to-toe with the likes of New London-Spicer. With this tough loss, the Jaguars are now 4-9 overall going into their Prairie Conference opener this Thursday at the High School Athletic Complex beginning at 4:30pm against New York Mills.
The NYM Eagles are 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the Prairie Conference.
Area girls tennis results from Tuesday night, September 7:
Matches involving Sub-Section 5A-West teams Melrose Area 5, St.Cloud Cathedral 2 (Dutchmen inch over .500 to sit at 6-5 overall). Benson/K-M-S 5, Montevideo 2. Luverne 7, MACCRAY 0.
Sauk Centre 7, Mora 0 (Mainstreeters are 11-1 overall)
Foley 6, LP-GE/USA 1
Area volleyball results from Tuesday night, September 7:
St.Cloud Cathedral 3, Sauk Centre 1 (a WCCN clash of the titans goes to the Crusaders in their first meeting)
Maple Lake 3, Watertown-Mayer 0
Minneota 3, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 0
Royalton 3, Kimball Area 1
Rockford 3, Marantha Christian 0
Upsala 3, Pillager 1
Annandale 3, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 0
Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 3, Eden Valley-Watkins 0
BOLD 3, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart 2
New London-Spicer 3, Foley 2 (at Foley, NL-S wins game five 15-7)
A-C-GC 3, LQPV 0
Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 3, Paynesville Area 0
Benson 3, Yellow Medicine East 1
Brandon-Evansville 3, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 2
Pierz 3, Crosby-Ironton 2
Nevis 3, Menagha 0
Hancock 3, Henning 0
Minnewaska Area 3, Montevideo 0
Albany 3, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 1
**Noteworthy: Tuesday night volleyball result in Woodbury...The host Woodbury Royals almost knocked off the defending Class A champion Bethlehem Academy Cardinals, ultimately falling in a 3-2 non-conference loss. Game scores were 24-26, 25-22, 27-25, 22-25, 15-9.
Bethlehem Academy had just swept defending Class AA champion Marshall Area last Thursday on their home court.
The Royals (2-2 overall) are the first-round opponent for the Jaguars volleyball team at the Southwest Minnesota Volleyball Challenge, coming this Friday at the Marshall Area High School. (Sept. 10) More on that will follow this week. Stay tuned.
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