“We threw everything we had at them tonight,” commented Fergus Falls Head Coach Jamie Lill.  “With them getting us twice last week, we changed things up a bit to give ourselves the best chance to get that edge for the fourth and winning point.  We were so close, but in the end they were just that little notch better than us tonight.  Our girls were prepared and really executed their respective game plans well.  Hats off to Moorhead and now we look ahead to our goal of claiming the consolation title over the course of the next week and a half.”

Madison Anderson jumped up a spot to first singles and played a fantastic match for the Otters. She was consistent and patient, but took her chances when she needed to. Although she was edged out 7-6(6), 7-5, she played a very smart match. Isabella Abrahams and Ava Weber filled the second and third singles roles respectively.  Both girls had good battles on their hands, but fell in straight sets.  This was Ava’a first singles match of the season and she handled it well.  She’s been our go-to versatile player when it comes to post-season lineup options. She’s played years of singles and doubles and does a great job filling whatever role is needed for the team on any given night.  Amber Anderson got a nice win for us 6-4, 6-4 at fourth singles. She has shown nice consistency lately and did not let the windy conditions throw her at all tonight.

Our first doubles team of Ellie Colbeck and Leila Nasri took the court as a duo for the first time this season to give Moorhead a different look.  They drew Moorhead’s best and fell in straight sets, but played some solid first doubles.  Second doubles duo Hannah Prody and Ashtyn Lill were tested as tough as they have been all season by a hard-serving team.  Hannah and Ashtyn battled through a very close back-and-forth first set, earning it 6-4.  The second set was a big step up from Moorhead and really a test for this pair mentally. Moorhead came out tough in the second set and couldn’t seem to miss. The girls found themselves down 3-0 early and struggled to get even the one game they did while dropping the set 6-1.  Hannah and Ashtyn knew the keys for them to win the final set were to clean up their return game and finish points at the net and they executed well under the third set pressure, winning the set 6-3. Third doubles team of Paige Pearson and Mackenzie Krava played a great third doubles match.  Mac and Paige found themselves down an early set, but knew what they needed to do.  They needed cleaner volleys and to stay aggressive at the net.  They also used their lob game to perfection tonight.  This was a very exciting match and a big win for these two.

Although we definitely wanted to proceed on the winning side of the bracket, we will now put our focus on doing everything we can to claim the consolation side of the section 8AA bracket.  Tonight’s match didn’t have the outcome we wanted, but it showed a lot of the tennis we were hoping for and gives us some confidence moving on in the post-season. We have a bye this Thursday and will play our next round next Tuesday.

Singles:
1. Nicole Hoogland (M) defeated Madison Anderson (FF) 7-6(6), 7-5.
2. Josie Palmer (M) defeated Isabella Abrahams (FF) 6-2, 6-4.
3. Elizabeth Glatt (M) defeated Ava Weber (FF) 6-2, 6-3.
4. Amber Anderson (FF) defeated Brooke Hoogland (M) 6-4, 6-4.

Doubles:
1. Katryna Hansen/Azylen Lunak (M) defeated Ellie Colbeck/Leila Nasri 6-3,6-2.
2. Hannah Prody/Ashtyn Lill (FF) defeated Bailey Overbo/Sophie Swenson (M) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
3. Paige Pearson/Mackenzie Krava (FF) defeated Anna Kaiser/Kylie Torkelson (M) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.