Tigers get Big Nine win over Faribault

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Sean Gillam got the bounce back win he was looking for from his Albert Lea girls&8217; tennis team.

One meet after being handled by United South Central 6-1, the Tigers opened Big Nine Conference play with a dominating 7-0 victory over Faribault.

Dezeray Jacobs remained perfect on the season with a 6-3, 6-0 victory at No. 1 singles and Amanda Leonard followed that up with a 6-1, 6-1 exhibition at No. 2.

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Niki Hendrickson did not lose a game in her singles match and Hali Hendrickson completed the singles sweep 6-3, 6-1.

&8220;It was good to see the same old team out there on the court again,&8221; Gillam said. &8220;Anytime you get wins like Niki had that is impressive because we play in one of the better tennis conferences around.&8221;

The doubles had just as much success with the No. 1 team of Liz Thompson and Cara Thorn blanking their opponents while Kelli Hanson and Alarie Maras needed a second set tiebreaker to secure their victory 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

Naomi Holt and Chelsea Hill were winners at No. 3 in three sets 6-1, 4-6, 6-0.

&8220;It was good to see the young doubles teams tested and they responded,&8221; Gillam said.

The 7-0 victory was an improvement for the Tigers over last year when they won 5-2.

Albert Lea also dominated the junior varsity matches. Winning were Jamie Axsmith, Michelle Hartmann, Anna Peterson, Katie Cope, Cinthia Villagomez, Carli Bertelson, Liz Winkels, Taylor Nelson, Chelsea Anderson, Crissie Johnson, Samantha Peterson, Kayla Hartmann, Cori Madson, Dani Merfeld, Erika Blickenderfer, Mikaela Pierson, Emily Troe and Kelli Duncumb.