Albert Lea battles heat, Mankato East
Published 8:59 pm Thursday, September 3, 2015
![Albert Lea's Rachel Wallin prepares to serve at No. 2 singles against Mankato East Thursday at Albert Lea. — Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune](https://www.albertleatribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2015/09/0904.al_.gtennis.flipper.jpg)
Albert Lea’s Rachael Wallin prepares to serve at No. 2 singles against Mankato East Thursday at Albert Lea. — Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune
The combination of Mankato East on the other side of the net and a heat index that reached 98 degrees didn’t bode well for the Albert Lea girls’ tennis team.
The Cougars swept the Tigers 7-0 Thursday at Albert Lea.
“I was impressed with the way the girls continued to play hard despite the hot conditions,” said Albert Lea coach Tom Dyrdal. “We’ve come a long way since the opening practice of the season. Our focus will be on continuing to get more consistent as the season moves forward.”
The closest matches were at No. 2 singles and No. 3 doubles.
Albert Lea’s Rachael Wallin fell 7-5 and 6-2 at No. 2 singles.
“Rachael played a nice match,” Dyrdal said. “She had many shots that could’ve made the highlight reel.”
At No. 3 doubles, Katie Boettcher and Maddie Willey lost 6-0 and 7-6 with a 4-7 loss in the tiebreaker.
“I was pleased the way they played more aggressive doubles in the second set,” Dyrdal said.
Next, Albert Lea will play at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Red Wing.
The Tigers have four home matches remaining. Albert Lea will host Faribault at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10, Mankato West at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 17 and a triangular with New Ulm and Marshall on Sept. 26. The Tigers will start the triangular against Marshall at 10 a.m. and end with a match against New Ulm at 2 p.m.
- Albert Lea’s Mercedes Saltou competes at No. 1 singles against Mankato East Thursday at Albert Lea. — Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune
- Albert Lea girls’ tennis coach Tom Dyrdal instructs No. 2 singles player Rachael Wallin Thursday against Mankato East at Albert Lea. — Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune
- Albert Lea’s Sara Kabrud competes at No. 1 doubles against Mankato East Thursday at Albert Lea. Kabrud’s teammate was Sam Skarstad. — Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune
- Albert Lea’s Rachael Wallin competes at No. 2 singles against Mankato East Thursday at Albert Lea. — Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune
- Albert Lea’s Rachael Wallin prepares to serve at No. 2 singles against Mankato East Thursday at Albert Lea. — Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune