Albert Lea girls’ tennis gets big win in final home match for seniors

Published 2:08 am Wednesday, September 30, 2009

A day after coming up on the wrong end of a 4-3 match, the Albert Lea girls’ tennis team found itself on the winning end of a 4-3 match.

The Tigers (10-9) beat Austin 4-3 with a little flair for the dramatics.

It was the final home match for the 17 seniors on the the girls’ tennis team and it was a pair of seniors who helped lead Albert Lea to the victory.

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Amy Bohlen and Zoey Hill have always played somewhat anonymous roles on the team at the No. 3 doubles or No. 4 singles spots, but the two seniors paired up for a three-set victory over Emily Sundal and Jordan Flaherty at No. 3 doubles to give the Tigers a big win over the Packers.

Bohlen and Hill nearly lost the first three games, but rallied back from facing a game point in the third game for a 6-3 victory in the third set. Bohlen and Hill lost the first set 7-5, but came back for a 6-4 win in the second.

Bohlen and Hill were the only match that went three sets Tuesday, opposed to the four matches Monday against Mankato East. Though the Tigers lost against the Cougars, head coach Sean Gillam said it gave his team some confidence.

“It was a tough win,” Gillam said. “A sectional win and a conference win. That helps us a lot. We don’t get a whole lot of wins against them (Austin).”

Taylor Nelson, Sarah Wenum and Michelle Hartmann all picked up wins for Albert Lea in singles play.

Junior varsity winners on Tuesdsay included: Kate Buringa, Carli Bertelson, Emily Troe, Katie Cope, Ashley Petersen and Chlesea Petersen, Marina Marquis, Kayla Swee, Alissa Allison, Dominique Villarreal, and Megan Gilbertson.

The Tigers head to Rochester Saturday for the Big Nine Conference tournament.

Albert Lea 4, Austin 3

No. 1 Taylor Nelson (AL) def. Nina Carney 6-4, 6-4

No. 2 Sarah Wenum (AL) def. Megan Zastoupil 6-3, 6-4

No. 3 Michelle Hartmann (AL) def. Katlyn Orcutt 6-2, 6-4

No. 4 Ashley Flaherty (A) def. Kayla Hartmann 6-4, 6-2

No. 1 Laura Astrup/Sophie Hebrink (A) def. Mikaela Pierson/Erika Blickenderfer 6-0, 6-0.

No. 2 Sam Brucker/Mary Kate Barinka (A) def. Kellsie Dieser/Jenna Sager 6-4, 6-4

No. 3 Amy Bohlen/Zoey Hill (AL) def. Emily Sundal/Jordan Flaherty 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.