MINNEAPOLIS &045; There was no state tournament trophy this year for the United South Central girls’ tennis team.

But there were also no regrets.

Though the Rebels won one of three meets, falling 5-2 to Foley Thursday afternoon for the consolation championship, they played well and were more than competitive, according to second-year head coach Randy Halvorson.

&uot;The girls played great,&uot; said Halvorson. &uot;It was really a terrific tournament for them.&uot;

But the defeats were tough, especially Wednesday’s 5-2 quarterfinal loss to Staples-Motley, which advanced to the finals before falling 7-0 to top-ranked and heavily favored Rochester Lourdes.

&uot;The first round was a heartbreaker,&uot; said Halvorson. &uot;We were really close in that one.&uot;

Four of the seven matches went to three sets, but the Rebels won only one of them.

Christina Wood and Danielle Huper claimed a straight-set 6-3, 6-2 victory at No. 3 doubles. The No. 2 team of Laura Staloch and Beth Yokiel won 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Andrea Eilertson and Lacy Schumann lost 6-2, 6-4 at No. 1 doubles.

Singles scores: No. 1, Shelly Bebler lost 6-3, 6-0; No. 2, Kerri Mueller lost 6-7, 6-1, 6-3; No. 3, Amy Christenson lost 6-2, 2-6, 6-3; No. 4, Rebecca Leland lost 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.

The Rebels bounced back to beat Melrose Area 5-2 in the consolation semifinals, getting wins from Bebler and Leland at singles while sweeping the doubles, all in straight sets.

The Foley meet was similar to the opener, according to Halvorson, with the Rebels dropping four of five three-set matches. Wins were by Bebler in straight sets, and Eilertson and Schumann 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.

&uot;It was a pretty tough match,&uot; said Halvorson. &uot;We still had four girls on the court after

three hours. It was the longest match we’ve ever played.&uot;

The Rebels finished 14-3 as a team. They have one individual state qualifier, Bebler at singles, and her first-round match was set for this morning. A win would pit her against the defending state champion from Lourdes.