MANKATO – For the second meet in a row, the Albert Lea High School girls’ tennis team played and lost some pivotal tiebreakers.

Friday, September 10, 1999

MANKATO – For the second meet in a row, the Albert Lea High School girls’ tennis team played and lost some pivotal tiebreakers.

This time, they didn’t make the difference in the outcome. That was determined at singles.

Mankato East swept the singles matches while defeating the Tigers 6-1 in a Big Nine meet Thursday at Mankato.

&uot;Mankato East is very strong at singles,&uot; said ALHS coach Jody Young, whose team fell to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Nine. &uot;We were very competitive at doubles.&uot;

The Tigers’ win was at No. 2 doubles, where Siri Zimmerman and Emily Ulve won in three sets 7-6, 2-6, 7-6. The score in both tiebreakers was 7-4.

Both of the other doubles matches also went three sets, with a tiebreaker determining one of them.

At No. 3 doubles, Sara Schewe and Nicki Thompson lost a tough decision 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). At No. 1, Holly Matson and Kirsten Nelson were defeated 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.

&uot;I think we could have won at first and third doubles,&uot; said Young. &uot;We won the first set but just let down. Hopefully next time we can be a little more mentally tough.&uot;

The Cougars took the singles matches in straight sets.

Sarah Kammerer sustained a 6-0, 6-0 setback at No. 1 singles, as did Mandy Blenka at No. 3. Afton Delger fell 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2 while Danielle Jacobs lost 6-0, 6-4 at No. 4.

The Tigers’ junior varsity also lost 6-1. Albert Lea’s win was at No. 3 doubles, where Jenika Beers and Jacie Porter registered an 8-3 victory.

The Tigers host Waseca in a nonconference meet Monday at Southwest Junior High School. It’s the first of three home meets this week.