First up for the Otters was Park Rapids.  We caught a glimpse of the Park Rapids squad last weekend at their invitational tournament and knew we'd have some tight matches on our hands, and boy did we.  Four of our matches involved tie-breaks and we saw great tennis on all of the courts.  At the top of our singles line-up this fall you'll find junior captain Isabella Abrahams.  Bella has had a fantastic start to the season with a couple of wins and some great all-around matches.  She played a great match today against PR, but came up just short of the victory, dropping the match 7-6, 7-5 to a very steady and versatile Morgan Kippelman. 

Freshman Ruby Ellison debuted at second singles with a fairly routine straight set win 6-2, 6-2.  Ruby is showing us great court coverage and improved control in her game.  She's effective in both singles and doubles and it will be fun to watch her continue to improve day in and day out.  Senior captain Leila Nasri and freshman Ashtyn Lill rounded out the singles lineup against Park Rapids, both earning huge 3-set victories for the Otters.  Leila had a great weekend of singles in Park Rapids, taking second in her tournament, while Ashtyn played her first singles match of the season.  Both girls showed steady determination to earn their wins in super tie-breakers. 

Juniors Hannah Anderson and Clara Stephan teamed up for the first time this season at first doubles.  They were met with a tall task in a very athletic senior duo from Park Rapids that controlled the match.  Otter seniors Karley Braeger and Cyntreya Lockett fell just short in a 3-set nail biter, dropping the final set 13-11.  Freshman Hattie Fullhart and senior Kezi Hartwell showed great control in their match, dropping just two games while winning 6-1, 6-1.  

The second match of the day for the Otters was against Morris.  We threw out a different lineup in the second match and found great success with it, earning a 7-0 sweep of the young Morris team.  Bella, Leila, Clara and 8th grader Kaia Ness cruised to straight set victories, dropping no more than three games in any match.  For this match Ruby Ellison and Ashtyn Lill teamed up on top of the doubles lineup for the first time and found success, winning 6-4, 6-3.  Cyntreya and Karley paired again and found great success against a very heavy hitting duo and won their match 6-1, 6-3.  Hannah Anderson and Hattie Fullhart made quick work at third doubles, dropping only one game on the day.  

Our JV and middle schoolers had a great day of tennis today as well, winning many matches across town, highlighted by doubles victories from Lauren Fazio/Samantha Kunz, Kezi Hartwell/Lydia Kunz, captain Annie Trosvig/Dagny Gerhardson and a nice singles win for Layla Zosel.  

The Otters travel to Moorhead Wednesday for a 10:00am dual with the Spuds.