WELLS – They didn’t talk about it a whole lot, but every member of the United South Central girls’ tennis team was thinking it.

Saturday, October 13, 2001

WELLS – They didn’t talk about it a whole lot, but every member of the United South Central girls’ tennis team was thinking it.

In the end, it helped the Rebels rally to three third-set victories, past St. James and back into the state tournament.

The Rebels, dedicating the season to the memory of longtime coach Dallas Hagen who died unexpectedly in August, defeated St. James 5-2 for the Section 2A championship at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter Thursday.

&uot;Our goal all year was to get to state as a team, in honor of Dallas,&uot; said Randy Halvorson, Hagen’s longtime assistant who took over as head coach. &uot;I’m just very happy Brooke Hagen was my assistant coach all year.&uot;

Brooke Hagen, one of three daughters to play under Dallas Hagen, admitted the section title – the Rebels’ fifth in seven years – is special.

&uot;It was definitely a battle. It’s more real and more exciting when it’s that close. It’s more special. They definitely earned it,&uot; said Brooke Hagen, sounding more than a little like her mom.

Junior Kerri Mueller said it was emotional for everyone involved.

&uot;It was real special, because our goal the whole season was to make it to state – because we knew Dallas wanted it,&uot; said Mueller. &uot;It’s always in our minds. We always remember what she told us to do.

&uot;It helped a lot to have Brooke as assistant coach,&uot; added Mueller. &uot;It helped us feel close to the Hagen family.&uot;

Brooke’s father, Gary, has also continued to follow the team closely. He saw some intense and exciting tennis Thursday. In three matches, the Rebels rallied from a set down to win.

The longest, Mueller’s No. 2 singles match, lasted nearly four hours, with a final score of 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 7-6 (10-8).

The other come-from-behind wins were at doubles. Kim Schultz and Andrea Eilertson won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1 while Lacy Schumann and Beth Yokiel rallied 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 at No. 2.

Heather Summer and Laura Staloch won 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3 doubles. Andrea Christenson prevailed 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles.

Shelly Bebler dropped a three-setter at No. 1 singles, falling 1-6, 6-4, 7-5. Megan Theede lost 6-1, 6-2 at No. 4 singles.

&uot;It was a dogfight all night long,&uot; said Halvorson. &uot;There were a lot of momentum shifts.&uot;

The Rebels, who finished second to Waseca in the South Central Conference at 5-1, improved to 12-2 overall.

The Rebels finished fourth in last year’s state tournament. They’ve placed as high as second.