From Head Coach Kristin Unverzagt:
The Pine City girls represented well as they played in the section final match in Pequot Lakes. The girls' fell 2-5, but it was a close match until the end! I am so proud of their efforts and they left it all the on the court. The singles battled hard with many deuce games and strong points. Our doubles were aggressive and were successful when they dominated at the net. The girls are already talking about next year's goals and are ready to improve their game. We are all excited to get back there next year and continue to improve our game. They are a great group that enjoy each other and want to make their teammates better!
Here are some individual highlights:
Lydia Adams had a tight match with multiple deuce games against a strong first singles player. Ella Sell played hard at 2nd singles and tried to mix up her shot selection to take a strong player off balance. Addison Sell came back in the second set to play well against a strong opponent. She battled hard to come back in the second set to stay competitive and keep our team in the match. Lily Struss rounded out our singles at 4 and played hard against a strong singles player.
Our doubles teams came out strong and dominated down the line in the first sets! 1st doubles had a strong start, but then Peqout Lakes changed their strategy in the second set.by taking away our opportunities at the net. The girls adapted their game and played well but fell short in the tie breaker. Second doubles was strong from the first point. Allison Unverzagt/Sophie Lahti did not give their opponents a chance to get in the points. Unverzagt had strong groundstrokes and approach shots and Lahti was all over the net to keep their opponents off balance. Lahti/Unverzagt wrapped up the season undefeated at their positions this season. The third doubles duo of Malia Mikyska and Claire Emmons rallied back after starting the first set down 0-4 and the second set down 1-5. They rallied back in both cases by dominating at the net and playing smart and aggressive. They were mentally tough to come back in both sets!
Our alternates that also traveled with us were Rhaya Merrick, Lena Roubinek, and Brenna Youngbauer. They also played exhibition matches and contributed to the success of our team by making them better each day at practice.
Here are the team results:
1st Singles: Megan Muller (PL) defeated Lydia Adams 5-7, 2-6
2nd Singles Carly Chaney (PL) over Ella Sell 0-6, 2-6
3rd Singles: Riley Foggarty (PL) over Addison Sell 2-6, 7-5, 1-6
4th Singles: Quinn Trottier (PL) over Lily Struss 2-6, 0-6
1st Doubles: Morgan Lueck/Afton Crocker (PL) over Katie Miller/Maddie Berglund 6-2, 5-7, 6-7 (3)
2nd Doubles: Allison Unverzagt/Sophie Lahti over Kelbee Lampi/Alexis Peterson (PL) 6-2, 6-0
3rd Doubles: Claire Emmons/Malia Mikyska over Allyson Yahn/Peyton Mudgett (PL) 7-5, 7-6 (3)
I am so proud of this team and feel so fortunate to work with amazing coaches! I want to thank Coach Kloeckl, Coach Adams, and Coach Eb for their time and energy! I also want to thank Captains Katie Miller and Lydia Adams. Their leadership was a huge factor in this team's success! They will be missed next year!
I also want to highlight that the girls not only get it done on the court, but also in the classroom. They were this year's Granite Ridge Conference academic champions and earned the State Academic Gold award.
It is hard to see this amazing season close! It has been a privilege to work with such amazing young women.
