Tennis Tigers top Century
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Things have changed for the Albert Lea High School girls’ tennis team.
The Tigers were not at the top of their game Tuesday, which in the past would likely have resulted in a lop-sided loss. Not now. The Tigers managed to defeat Rochester Century 4-3, improving their record to 4-1 in the Big Nine and 5-3 overall.
&uot;It’s great to come out with a win when you’re not playing at 100 percent of your game,&uot; said coach Sean Gillam. &uot;If you’re going to be a championship team, you have to win with whatever you have that night.&uot;
What the Tigers had was a long night that began at Southwest Middle School and ended on the Channel View courts under the lights, where eighth-grader Dezeray Jacobs played the third set in what would determine her team’s fate. But she didn’t know it.
&uot;She did not know the score,&uot; said Gillam. &uot;I never tell in that situation. It’s the same if we’re up 5-1 or down 5-1, I say, ‘You need to win your match.’&uot;
Jacobs did, taking the final set 6-1. After dropping the first set 6-4, she rallied from a 4-3 deficit to win the second 6-4.
Karen Leonard got the other singles win for the Tigers, 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2, where she improved her record to 4-1 in the conference and 5-2 overall.
Becky Birkhofer fell 6-3, 6-0 at No. 1 singles while Elizabeth Thompson lost in three sets at No. 3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
Ashley Helgerson and Nicole Rafdal remained unbeaten in the Big Nine at 5-0 with a 6-2, 7-6 (9-7 tiebreaker) victory at No. 1 doubles. They’re 6-1 overall.
Anne Trebil and Marisa Christopherson combined for a 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 6-2 triumph at No. 3 doubles.
Amanda Rose and Kristin Wulff lost 6-1, 6-4 at No. 2 doubles.
The Tigers travel to Faribault Thursday for another Big Nine meet. Albert Lea won last year’s meeting 7-0.