The girls came hungry and ready to play tonight.  We know not to overlook Moorhead, especially after the way they upset us last year.  We knew everybody needed to be dialed in and ready to dig tonight.  And everybody was.  In the six matches that Fergus Falls won tonight, nobody dropped more than two games.  That is significant.  The girls were focused and determined and they simply took care of business.  Our only loss on the night was a three-setter that came down to a final set super tie-breaker that just didn't roll our way.  Everybody played well and battled.  

On the singles side of things, Ruby Ellison cruised through her first singles match 6-1, 6-0.  This is remarkable for Ruby.  She is the #1 seed heading into the individual tournament later this week, so we know she's pretty dang tough up there at the top.  What we couldn't have quite predicted, however, was that she would only drop one single game to Madi Anderson, the #2 seed in that tournament.  This was a very impressive showing for Ruby tonight.  She approached and attacked well and just played smart tennis.  Layla Zosel got the 6-1, 6-1 win tonight in the second singles slot.  Layla played some tough tennis tonight as well.  She battled against a lot of drop shots tonight and did so very successfully.  She is using her strengths to her advantage so well right now.  Layla plays within herself and stays steady emotionally on the court.  Tonight was a great win for her, showcasing her ability to adapt and adjust on the fly to play her kind of tennis.  Ali Bredenberg also cruised at third singles, also 6-1, 6-1.  Ali is just a gritty, aggressive player in that third slot and tonight she battled well.  Kaia Ness took the court in that forth singles slot.  Her match was definitely the most highly contended match of the night.  It was very back and forth with long rallies as we often see at fourth singles.  Kaia came from behind in the first set to win the last three games and earn the set 6-4.  The second set was more of the same, but ended up falling in favor of the Spuds.  The third set was a super tie-breaker since the match had already been decided and just didn't end Kaia's way.  She played a heck of a match.  The last time we battled her opponent in the fourth singles slot, Fergus earned four games, so today was a much more competitive round against a very steady opponent.  

In doubles action, Hattie Fullhart and Ashtyn Lill cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 victory in first doubles.  They focused in on some shot selection and placement things we've been working on and just staying focused no matter the score.  Dillyn Lill and Carsyn Lill got the coveted double bagel in their second doubles spot against Moorhead's typical first doubles team, so this was a great showing for them.  The twins are doing a nice job of adding some more pace and dimension to their game.  They have turned a corner and work hard to finish points with winners rather than simply working to stay in points.  Dillyn's serve is becoming a weapon and both girls are becoming more and more efficient at ending points at the net.  Our third doubles team of Siiri Smestad and Annie Mayer continues their hot streak tonight as well, also earning the double bagels. This pair is 8-0 in this role at third doubles since teaming up to fill this slot and they are definitely solidifying their roles as we begin postseason play.  

Fergus Falls High School 6, Moorhead 1
Singles:
No. 1 - Ruby Ellison, Fergus Falls High School def. Madi Anderson, Moorhead, 6-1 , 6-0
No. 2 - Layla Zosel, Fergus Falls High School def. Sammy Stage, Moorhead, 6-1 , 6-1
No. 3 - Ali Bredenberg, Fergus Falls High School def. Sienna Lee, Moorhead, 6-1 , 6-1
No. 4 - Lauren Palmer, Moorhead def. Kaia Ness, Fergus Falls High School, 4-6 , 6-3 , 10-5;

Doubles:
No. 1 - Ashtyn Lill,  - Hattie Fullhart, Fergus Falls High School def. Wylie Nordin,  - Lily Grafstrom, Moorhead, 6-1 , 6-0
No. 2 - Carsyn Lill, - Dillyn Lill, Fergus Falls High School def. Olivia (Livvy) Dreessen,  - Ubin Kim, Moorhead, 6-0 , 6-0
No. 3 - Annie Mayer,  - Siiri Smestad, Fergus Falls High School def. Kylie Markuson,  - Sophia Anderson, Moorhead, 6-0 , 6-0

Next up for the Otters will be another clash against the #3 seed Brainerd.  This match will be played indoors in Grand Forks on Thursday, October 3 at 4:00pm.  

Our individual tournaments will begin on Friday, October 4th with the Otters sending Ruby Ellison and Layla Zosel into the singles tournament as well as the teams of Hattie Fullhart/Ashtyn Lill and Dillyn Lill/Carsyn Lill into the doubles tournament.  Ellison and Fullhart/Lill have both earned the #1 seed in their respective tournaments.  Individual play begins at 2:00 on Friday, also at Choice Health & Fitness in Grand Forks, ND.