Girls Tennis: Wingers fall to seventh-ranked Chanhassen

Red Wing faced seventh-ranked Chanhassen Thursday on the road and was unable to give the Storm their first loss in a 5-2 defeat.

The Wingers (10-9, 3-4 Missota) were swept in singles play while using a doubles-heavy lineup but Red Wing head coach Randy Decker said the team gave a good effort in the loss.

“Our kids played hard and had a ton of heart but they were just too good,” he said. “It was a good match, it was fun. It was a nice way to end the regular season. Ever since the Farmington match (Sept. 11) we’ve been playing at a very high level. They realized they can do a lot better than that.”

Red Wing went 5-2 in its final seven matches to close out the regular season after the loss to the Tigers.

Juniors Emily Stegora and Nicole Schammel secured a win at No. 1 doubles for the Wingers, defeating Megan Huggett and Laura Taylor 7-6 (5), 6-2. At No. 2 doubles, senior Katie Kelly and ninth-grader Solveig Christenson dropped the first set 6-2 but won the second set 7-6 (6). The pair was tied at 3-3 in the third set before Christenson tweaked a previous back injury and was forced to default the match to Chanhassen.

“She’s been dealing with some back issues,” Decker said. “She took a bad step a few days ago. At that point, the match was already done. There was no point making her go through that kind of pain for nothing.”

Sophomore Lauren Brooks and junior Katie Carlson won 6-2, 7-6 (1) against Julia Galler and Anna Gasperlin at No. 3 doubles to remain undefeated as a pairing for the entire regular season.

“Lauren and Katie had a remarkable season,” Decker said. “(Brooks) was really a rock for us this year.”

Seeding for Section 1AA will take place Sunday and Red Wing will play its first playoff match Tuesday.

Tags: girls tennis, red wing, sports, prep