photo by Nick Gerhardt

United South Central’s Molly Yokiel returns a shot Monday against Blue Earth. Yokiel played at No. 1 doubles with Kellie Robbins and won 6-1, 6-0 and the Rebels won the match 5-2.

USC finds winning way

Staff

Published Monday, September 15, 2008

WELLS — The United South Central girls’ tennis team started a busy week Monday with a solid 5-2 win over Blue Earth at home.

The Rebels (5-3, 3-0) remained perfect in the Gopher Conference, but have two important tests this week as they play Belle Plaine Tuesday and rival Maple River Thursday.

After a shaky start to the season it has looked like USC has started to turn around its season but it hasn’t been easy. The Rebels were without Cami Christian for a pair of matches and have since lost No. 2 singles player Taylor Allis to a shoulder injury. That meant inserting different players into new roles Monday. Ali Ramsley went from No. 3 singles to No. 2 singles and Haleigh Korn went to No. 3 singles after playing No. 2 doubles with Christian most of the season.

“It was nice to see how they would play in those spots,” USC head coach Kim Johnson said. “We really haven’t been able to practice much with them at that spot but I think they will do fine in their new positions.”

It was apparent there would be an adjustment period for Korn and Ramsley as both lost their first match in the new roles, but the games were competitive. Ramsley lost in two sets 4-6, 3-6 and Korn dropped her match 2-6, 4-6.

The doubles teams didn’t experience any drop off as Megan Allis stepped in at No. 2 doubles to replace Korn and the doubles teams each came away with a victory. Allis and Christian won in strong fashion with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Mackenzie Lein and Sam Hogstad. Rachel Mattick and Dani Roberts came away with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 3 doubles. Kellie Robbins and Molly Yokiel remained undefeated on the year with a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 1 doubles.

It was business as usual for Yokiel and Robbins, who haven’t dropped a set all season and have their sights set on a trip to state this season.

“That’s what we’ve been thinking about this whole time since the beginning of the season,” Yokiel said.

No. 1 singles player Carolyn Schmitz picked up another win with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Emily Slama and No. 4 singles player Katie Lorenz won 6-4, 6-1.

USC has now won three consecutive matches after starting the season 2-3. The Rebels will get their biggest test of the season against Maple River Thursday at home.

Singles

No. 1 Carolyn Schmitz def. Emily Slama 6-2, 6-2

No. 2 Jackie Klinkner def. Ali Ramsley 6-4, 6-3

No. 3 Annika Johnson def. Haleigh Korn 6-2, 6-4

No. 4 Katie Lorenz def. Eli Johnson 6-4, 6-1

Doubles

No. 1 Molly Yokiel/Kellie Robbins def. Jessica Skaare/Olivia Skaare 6-1, 6-0

No. 2 Megan Allis/Cami Christian def. Mackenzie Lein/Sam Hogstad 6-1, 6-0

No. 3 Rachel Mattick/Dani Roberts def. Abby Nimz/Autumn Drake 6-0, 6-0

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