“Starting the season with a tournament like this is a great way to get a lot of girls some early match play,” commented Fergus Falls Head Coach Jamie Lill.  “New this year was the opportunity to play some JV matches along with the varsity, which allowed for even more participation and it gave us the chance for some new girls to gain some valuable court experience.” 

Lill continued, “With the absence of Ellie Colbeck at the top of our lineup, everything shifts as she has stationed the top of our ladder consistently for the last three years.  Freshman Madison Anderson was given the tall task of filling in at that number one spot this weekend and was able to pick up a win in her first outing.  Number one singles is such tough competition wherever we go, as typically a team's top player occupies that position. Sophomore Amber Anderson filled in the second singles spot where she also picked up a win on the day, as did sophomore Hannah Anderson at third singles. Sophomore Kylie King grabbed one win in the fourth singles tournament, while Clara Stephan had a great day in the fourth singles tournament.  Clara dropped her first round match, before battling back for a couple of tight third set tie-break wins to earn herself the consolation championship.” 

In doubles action, sophomore Isabella Abrahams and 8th grader Ashtyn Lill dropped their first round match in a tough third set tie-break, but rallied in their next two rounds to come away as consolation champs with a clutch third-set tie-break win to seal the deal.  Senior Mackenzie Krava and junior Cyntreya Lockett also jumped on board for a consolation championship of their own in the second doubles tournament, winning their last round 6-4, 6-4.  In other doubles, newcomer Karley Braeger, junior, and freshman Lauren Fazio teamed up for a nice 10-8 third set win, while Annie Trosvig and Dagney Gerhardson also picked up a nice straight set victory.

“Overall, it was just a great day to get in a lot of tennis,” added Coach Lill.  “Our season is now officially in full swing with four matches this upcoming week.  Next up for the Otters is a home triangular on Tuesday when we play host to Morris and Park Rapids beginning at 10:00am at the Kennedy School courts.” 

Wadena-Deer Creek match results included second place finishes for Madison Packer at first singles and Libby Hartman at third singles.  Corra Endres placed third in second singles competition.  Here is a match-by-match recap for the Wolverines.

Singles:
No. 1 - Madison Packer, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH def. Madison Anderson, Fergus Falls High School, 6-1 , 6-1 , -;

No. 1 - Madison Packer, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH def. Brynn Havis, EAST GRAND FORKS SENIOR HIGH, 6-1 , 6-1 , -;No. 1 - Alissa Thorfinnson, MINNEWASKA SECONDARY def. Madison Packer, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH, 6-4 , 1-6 , 10-4 ;

No. 2 - Corra Endres, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH def. Aleah Oshie, EAST GRAND FORKS SENIOR HIGH, 6-2 , 6-1 , -;

No. 2 - LaVonne Lindberg, PERHAM/New York Mills Co-Op (GIRLS) def. Corra Endres, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH, 6-4 , 7-6 (5), -;

No. 2 - Corra Endres, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH def. Amber Anderson, Fergus Falls High School, 6-2 , 6-2 , -;

No. 3 - Libby Hartman, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH def. Kate Kennedy, ROSEAU SECONDARY, 6-0 , 6-3 , -;

No. 3 - Libby Hartman, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH def. alia randt, MINNEWASKA SECONDARY, 6-1 , 6-0 , -;

No. 3 - Avery Malone, PERHAM/New York Mills Co-Op (GIRLS) def. Libby Hartman, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH, 1-6 , 6-4 , 10-8 ;

No. 4 - Olivia Danielson, MINNEWASKA SECONDARY def. Genevieve Pinnella, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH, 6-2 , 6-2 , -;

No. 4 - Genevieve Pinnella, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH def. Destiny Haddy, PARK RAPIDS SENIOR HIGH, 6-2 , 6-0 , -;
No. 4 - Clare Steffan, Fergus Falls High School def. Genevieve Pinnella, WADENA-DEER CREEK SENIOR HIGH, 3-6 , 7-6 (9), 10-5 ;