First up for the Otters today was the #3 seeded doubles team from Moorhead, Sophie Swenson and Kylie Torkelson.  Sophie was part of the team that Ashtyn and Mia upset last year on their road to sections, so we knew we were in for a really hard-fought battle to start the day.  This match did not disappoint.  Ashtyn and Leila started off hot today, playing a very high level of tennis against a very solid doubles team. The girls did a nice job of using the whole court and kept their opponents on the run. True to their form from yesterday, Ashtyn and Leila were toe-to-toe with Moorhead the entire first set.  This set was probably the best tennis we've seen all season.  Both teams were hitting winners and forcing great shots.  There were very few unforced errors.  The Otters' big break came at 5-4 in the first set when they were able to break serve and solidify a one set lead.  Ashtyn and Leila took advantage of a slight dip from the Spuds and pulled out to a 4-2 lead in the second set.  That's when Moorhead really turned it on.  They rattled off 4/5 games with overpowering overheads and a ton of intensity to take the second set 7-5.  The third set was when the Spuds showed their determination and athleticism.  They did not dip or waiver and ended up winning this match in three sets over Ashtyn and Leila. 

The loss to Moorhead put our girls in the 3rd place match against the #1 seeded team of Darby Neis and Madison Jensen from Bemidji.  With only about a half hour break between matches, Ashtyn and Leila caught their breath quick and regrouped to go at it again against the team that knocked out fellow Otters Karley Braeger and Cyntreya Lockett from the doubles tournament on Wednesday.  Darby and Madison are very hard hitters.  They stroke hard on the ground and probably have the hardest serves our girls have seen.  Ashtyn and Leila did not waiver at all in their belief that they could win against this top duo.  They blocked serves back and worked their way into points.  I was so impressed with how composed the girls remained through a very tense match.  Ashtyn served as well as we've seen her today and Leila used her lobbing expertise to push Bemidji way back into the curtains.  In the end, Ashtyn and Leila's steady and consistent brand of play won out over the power of the Lumberjacks as the girls upset the top seed 6-4, 6-1.  

I simply could not be more proud of these girls.  They came into the tournament unseeded due to a lack of play together.  They proceeded to play the 1st, 2nd and 3rd seeded teams and knock out the top two on their way to a third place finish.  They were gritty, determined, consistent, positive and exciting to watch.  Next up for this duo is the section tournament in StaFit on Saturday, October 15.  They will be the 3rd seed from the north and face the 2nd seed from the south, which will be determined this Saturday.  The girls are slated to play at StaFit in Sartell at 10:30am.  

Sophie Swenson/Kylie Torkelson (Mhd) defeated Ashtyn Lill/Leila Nasri (FF) 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.
Ashtyn Lill/Leila Nasri (FF) defeated Darby Neis/Madison Jensen (Bem) 6-4, 6-1.