“In my tenure as head coach here since 2012, Brainerd has been the top team in our sub-section, while St. Cloud Tech generally beats them in the section finals to earn the trip to state,” said Head Coach Jamie Lill of the Otters.  “On Tuesday, however, Brainerd defeated St. Cloud Tech handily 6-1.  This year's Brainerd team is the real deal and they showed us that today, winning most of their matches fairly routinely.” 

“Our singles lineup earned only a few games here and there off the ever-consistent rackets of the Warrior lineup,” reported Lill.  “Their first and second doubles teams also took care of business, only dropping a single game in each of their matches as well.”

The match of the night for the Otters came from the third doubles duo of Hannah Prody and Ashtyn Lill.  Hannah and Ashtyn started a bit slow, falling to a quick 0-3 deficit in the first set, but the pair settled their nerves, focused on the basics of what they could control and got into a nice rhythm.  After the slow start, they matched games with their opponents before dropping the first set 6-3.  Their confidence grew, knowing that they were game-for-game with Brainerd to finish that first set and they played a fantastic second set.  The Otters took the first game and it was back and forth games from there until the end.  With the Warriors serving at 5-4, ad-out, Hannah and Ashtyn were a point from evening the set at 5 apiece.  However, the Warriors battled back to deuce and eventually won that game, giving them the set at 6-4.  “It was a good battle for our girls who played clean, smart doubles,” noted Lill. 

Lill continued, “Although our scores don't necessarily represent tight matches, we saw a lot of good things on the court today.  Ava and Leila turned things up a notch after a slow start and really began playing smart and aggressive doubles in the top spot.  Bella started stroking the ball more freely as she worked her way into her third singles match and played a great back and forth match utilizing great shot selection throughout.  With this incredibly tough CLC schedule that we're running this fall, we are going to take some tough losses.  However, each time we step on the court, we have the opportunity to learn, improve and make progress.  That is what we will continue to do.”   

Next Tuesday, September 1, the Otters play host to the Lumberjacks from Bemidji at 4:30pm at the Broadway courts.      

Singles:
1. Kate Kurtzman (B) defeated Ellie Colbeck (FF) 6-1, 6-2.
2. Catherine Moraghan (B) defeated Madison Anderson (FF) 6-0, 6-0.
3. Taylor Ruhl (B) defeated Isabella Abrahams (FF) 6-0, 6-2.
4. Ella Chaussee (B) defeated Amber Anderson (FF) 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles:
1. Lily Jones/Kate Chaussee (B) defeated Ava Weber/Leila Nasri (FF) 6-0, 6-0.
2. Ally Goeden/Brynne Folden (B) defeated Mackenzie
Krava/Paige Pearson (FF) 6-0, 6-1.
3. Chloe Pecarich/Lila Collins (B) defeated Hannah Prody/Ashtyn Lill (FF) 6-3, 6-4.