Warriors make quick work of Otters
HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
Things looked like business as usual for the Brainerd Warriors Thursday.
A new coach and a few new faces in the lineup didn't change what has become the usual outcome for teams visiting the Brainerd High School.
No Warrior lost a set leading to Brainerd's 7-0 sweep of the Fergus Falls Otters in a Central Lakes Conference competition.
Taylor Headlee dispatched Lindsey Kimball 6-2, 6-1 to set the tone early.
"Well, It's going OK," said the senior captain, who returned to her No. 1 singles position.
Brainerd Warrior Kayla Kraemer chased down a ball Thursday during her doubles match against the Fergus Falls Otters.
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Last year Headlee finished the conference 10-0. She's still perfect at the top spot with a 3-0 mark this season.
"There is always room to get better," she added. "I want to be better at the end of the year than I am right now."
The competitive spirit doesn't drop off from there as Mikinzee Salo was disappointed in her play despite winning 6-1, 6-2. Mackayla Headlee wont 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 singles and Brianna Rademacher topped Samantha Velde 6-0, 6-1 for the singles sweep.
"We're playing well, but I always tell the girls that there is always something they can be working on," said first-year head coach Ellen Fussy. "We need to work on things especially when we're confident that the opponent we're playing is struggling."
In the closest match Zoe Houle and Kayla Kraemer defeated Chistina Masten-Kaylar Neumann 6-4, 6-3. The teams of Sam Kletscher-Courtney Tusler and Katie Southard-Kathryn Chandler won easily.
Warriors 7, Fergus Falls 0
Key: All seven matches were decided in straight sets
Conf: Brd 3-0, FF 0-2
Overall: Brd 3-0, FF 1-4
Next: Brainerd hosts Roseau, Perham, Parkers Prairie, New York Mills, Glenco-Silver Lake 9 a.m. Saturday.
"Like last year we were young, but I think this year we have a little more experience," said Headlee. "We can't sit still, though. We still have tough matches with St. Cloud Tech and Alexandria at their place. Tech is always tough."
Fussy echoed those words saying Brainerd wasn't going to look past any opponent. That doesn't mean she doesn't have confidence in her team to repeat as conference champs.
"I really like the pairings we have in doubles and our singles lineup is solid top to bottom," Fussy said. "Plus, we have a great group of seniors leading the way. Our sophomores, Mackayla, Brianna and Kayla or and Mikinzee. I always forget Mikinzee, because she's been on the varsity for so long she seems like a senior."
Brainerd 7, Fergus Falls 0
Singles
No. 1: Taylor Headlee (Brd) def. Lindsey Kimball 6-2, 6-1; No. 2: Mikinzee Salo (Brd) def. Caitlyn Nygaard 6-1, 6-2; No. 3: Mackayla Headlee (Brd) def. Kylie Jensen 6-3, 6-3; No. 4: Brianna Rademacher (Brd) def. Samantha Velde 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
No. 1: Zoe Houle-Kayla Kraemer (Brd) def. Cristina Masten-Kaylar Neumann 6-4, 6-3; No. 2: Sam Kletscher-Courtney Tusler (Brd) def. Amanda Breen-Carli Ouren 6-3, 6-1; No. 3: Katie Southard-Kathryn Chandler (Brd) def. Lydia Christianson-Mariah Viaene 6-2, 6-0