Otters Avenge Early Season Loss with 4-3 Win Over St. Cloud
The Fergus Falls girls' tennis team hosted CLC and section 8AA rival St. Cloud Crush in their final regular season match. The Crush won their first meeting of the season 5-2, but the Otters earned this one tonight 4-3 in another great team match.
The girls had another great showing tonight. This win was huge from a morale and confidence standpoint. The Crush are a top team year in and year out, so earning this victory tonight felt pretty good. We switched things up in our lineup a bit after seeing the Crush earlier this season and tonight it paid off.
Last time we faced St. Cloud they swept the singles side of play, so we went out there with our strongest singles lineup. Ruby Ellison got the win for us at 2nd singles, winning 6-4, 6-3 in straight sets against a very solid opponent. Ashtyn Lill played her first singles match of the year and came away with a 6-3, 6-0 victory as well. Ashtyn did a nice job of stroking the ball deep in the court and playing consistent from the baseline. Dillyn Lill and Carsyn Lill earned a straight set win at 3rd doubles 6-2, 6-4. The Crush earned the points at 1st singles and doubles as well as 2nd doubles.
For the second time this week, Layla Zosel was on court with the team match tied up at 3 apiece. Layla won her first set, but dipped a bit in the second set and ended up needing to win a tight third set to win her match 6-1, 2-6, 7-5. Layla's ground strokes have been efficient and consistent from the baseline and her serving tonight was exceptional. She's definitely played loose and came in clutch not just once, but twice, for her team this week. This was a great upset for our girls tonight as we finished up the regular season and can head confidently into post-season play starting next Tuesday. It's a great time of year for our girls to be playing so well and gaining steam.
Postseason seeding takes place Friday, so the Otters will learn their seed and opponent tomorrow, but are anticipating a home match on Tuesday at 3:30.
Carsyn Lill putting away a forehand volley at the net. PHOTO PROVIDED
Dillyn Lill following through with a backhand from the baseline. PHOTO PROVIDED
Singles:
1. Abby Brown (C) defeated Isabella Abrahams (FF) 6-3, 6-2.
2. Ruby Ellison (FF) defeated Lily Howe (C) 6-4, 6-3.
3. Ashtyn Lill (FF) defeated June Streit (C) 6-3, 6-0.
4. Layla Zosel (FF) defeated Kayla Cai (C) 6-1, 2-6, 7-5.
Doubles:
1. Sadie McLean/Isabelle Anderson (C) defeated Hattie Fullhart/Kaia Ness (FF) 6-3, 6-2.
2. Emma Parries/Sophia Erickson (C) defeated Hannah Anderson/Clara Stephan (FF) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
3. Dillyn Lill/Carsyn Lill (FF) defeated Karly Backes/Emmy Baggenstoss (C) 6-2, 6-4.
