Pierz doubles team advances to semifinals

MINNEAPOLIS -- Pierz's Sheena Loidolt-Shiela Stegora might have experienced a little beginners' luck Thursday in the Class A state tournament at the Nicollet Tennis Center.

The duo is the first representatives from Pierz to make it to the state tennis tournament, but are playing like they've been there before.

Loidolt-Stegora battled back from a shaky start in their first-round match to defeat Shelly Bebler-Andrea Eilertson of United South Central 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.

In the quarterfinal match Loidolt-Stegora ripped past Jae Venekamp-Kristen Blake of Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 6-1, 6-0 to advance to Friday's semifinal round. They will face Lyndsey Palen and Caela Baker of Rochester Lourdes.

Palen-Baker advanced by defeating Emily Waldahl-Rose Milless of Staples-Motley 6-1, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

Waldahl-Milless advanced by defeating Brooke Baldry-Jessie Rasmusson of Yellow Medicine East 7-5, 6-3 in the first round.

S-M's Jacque Peterson lost her opening-round match 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to Ashley Wink of Minnewaska.

Pequot Lakes junior Ashley Meschke lost her first-round match to Blake freshman Natalie Newman 6-2, 6-0. Newman is the third-ranked player in Class A.

"The match was a lot closer than it looks," said Pequot coach Mindi Brill. "A lot of the points went to deuce."

Meschke finished the season with a 30-3 record.