Girls tennis: Alleva, Gillman ousted

An era came to an end Tuesday when Katie Gillman and Rose Alleva lost to Lakeville South’s Erika Williams and Shelby Henderson in the Section 1AA individual tournament at the Life Time Fitness in Lakeville, Minn.

Williams and Henderson, both sophomores, won 6-2,

3-6, 6-3.

Gillman and Alleva both won more than 100 matches during their six-year varsity careers.

“They’re in a category all by themselves,” said Tom Gillman, the Wingers’ coach and Katie’s father.

Red Wing got off to a slow start, but after winning the second set the duo was in control early in the third set.

Alleva and Katie Gillman led 3-1 and had a chance to break. They failed to do so and the Lakeville South pair won five straight games to advance.

“It’s a little shocking,” coach Gillman said. “When they came off the court they were a little stunned and shocked.”

Coach Gillman said the seniors were victimized not so much of poor play, but by a tough section that includes Rochester Mayo, Rochester Century and both Lakeville schools.

According to coach Gillman, St. Catherine assistant tennis coach Eric Stacey approached him and said he’d been to other section tournaments and there is no comparison to Section 1AA.

Still, coach Gillman couldn’t help consider what could have been.

“We get by that match, we have a chance to get to state and make a run and be a dangerous team,” he said. “But that’s Section 1.”

Tags: red wing, katie gillman, rose alleva, sports, tennis, wingers