There’s been talk of Albert Lea leaving the Big Nine for the South Central Conference, and most local coaches seem to be in favor of such a move.

Tuesday, August 28, 2001

There’s been talk of Albert Lea leaving the Big Nine for the South Central Conference, and most local coaches seem to be in favor of such a move.

Nobody has asked David Kalis lately. He might have another opinion.

Kalis’ Albert Lea High School girls’ tennis team has opened the season against two SCC opponents and, after falling 7-0 to Waseca Monday, the Tigers are 0-2.

&uot;Waseca has a real strong team,&uot; said Kalis. &uot;They beat Mankato East, they beat Owatonna 6-1. Overall I’m pretty happy with our play. We keep improving.&uot;

Three of Monday’s matches were close.

Karen Leonard took her No. 4 singles opponent to three sets before falling 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. Amanda Rose and Nicole Merfeld also went to three sets, dropping a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 decision at No. 3 doubles.

Nicole Rafdal and Ashley Helgerson lost 6-4, 7-6 (7-5 tiebreaker) at No. 2 doubles while the Tigers’ No. 1 duo of Mandy Blenka and Danielle Jacobs lost 6-0, 7-5.

Dawn Ekern was defeated 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 singles. Elizabeth Schreiber fell 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2. Kristin Wulff lost 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3.

The Tigers open Big Nine play today, facing Owatonna at 4:30 on the Southwest courts.