WILLMAR - The Willmar girls tennis team continued its dominant season with a 6-1 victory over Rocori in a Central Lakes Conference match on Monday at the Willmar High School courts.
The Cardinals swept four singles matches, losing just 11 games, and Willmar suffered its only loss in a tough 1-doubles match decided in three sets.
“This was our best effort as a complete team this season,” said Willmar head coach Jim Anderson. “The doubles girls were asked not to just play but be competitive and mission was accomplished.”
The Cardinals are 7-1 in the CLC and 13-1 overall. They play at Alexandria today in a match for second place in the conference.
On Monday, Cayle Hovland won 6-2, 6-0 at 1-singles and Jordyn Swoboda picked up a victory at 2-singles.
“Cayle got on the offensive right off the bat and never looked back for a convincing victory in straight sets,” Anderson said. “Jordyn picked on her opponent’s backhand and finished strong at the net for an overpowering win.”
Elise Bierbaum, a seventh-grader, picked up her 12th win of the season at 3-singles by 6-2, 6-0 scores.
Lydia Morrell, a freshman, won her 13th match of the season by 6-1, 6-2 scores.
“Elise controlled play with well-balanced shot-making, cruising to a win in straight sets,” Anderson said. “Lydia moved her opponent around the court and finished short balls.”
Kya Egge and Makenna Hogan at 2-doubles and Avery Hovland and Amanda Zuidema at 3-doubles also nailed down victories, with Egge and Hogan prevailing in a tough second set.
“Kya and Makenna showed how hard work pays off, winning a tightly battled match in a tiebreaker,” Anderson said.
Willmar 6, Rocori 1
Singles
(1) Cayle Hovland, W, def. Brynn Sauer 6-2 6-0 (2) Jordyn Swoboda, W, def. Sophie Feldhage 6-2 6-2 (3) Elise Bierbaum, W, def. Amy Bertram 6-2 6-0 (4) Lydia Morrell, W, def. Abby Kaluza 6-1 6-2
Doubles
(1) Carly Reitmeier/Alyssa Job, R, def. Bergan Vollan/Olivia Corneil 7-5 2-6 6-3 (2) Kya Egge/Makenna Hogan, W, def. Lauren Davis/Rachel Thompson 6-4 7-6 (7-5) (3) Avery Hovland/Amanda Zuidema, W, def. Grace Schneider/Hailey Torborg 6-2 6-2
