Coughlin-Koskiniemi advance to semifinals

MINNEAPOLIS - The Staples-Motley doubles team of Sky Coughlin and Emma Koskiniemi are staying alive in the Class 1A doubles tournament at the Reed Sweatt Tennis Center.

The Cardinals duo advanced to Friday's semifinals where they will face the defending state champions from Mounds Park Academy Kate Roach and Amber Washington.

They got there by defeating Abby Frederickson-Karlee Sleve of St. James 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. In the quarterfinals, Coughlin-Koskiniemi eliminated Mandi Stencel-Sara Anderson of Maple Lake 6-5, 7-5.

"This is their third year together and they are showing the chemistry that comes with that," Cardinals coach Kevin Coughlin said. "They had two tough matches today, but the girls adjusted well. They get to face the state champions right away tomorrow. It will be tough, but with good players which they are, anything can happen. We are just looking for a good effort."

In singles action, the Cardinals' Abby Edin won her first match 6-1, 6-3 before bowing out in her second match 6-1, 6-1 to end her season.

"She had a tough match against a very tough opponent," Coughlin said. "She played well, but it just wasn't quite enough."

The Aitkin Gobblers doubles team of Allie Carlson and Katilyn Davies drew the tough assignment of facing the team of Roach and Washington in the first round. Carlson and Davies were defeated in straight sets 6-1, 6-0. In their consolation match, they were defeated 7-5, 6-3.

Singles

Opening round: Abby Edin (SM) def. Elena Almici (Sibley East) 6-1, 6-3

Quarterfinals: Lisa Johnen (Austin-Picelli) def. Edin 6-1, 6-1

Staples-Motley Doubles

Opening round: Skye Coughlin-Emma Koskiniemi (SM) def. Abby Frederickson-Karlee Sleve (St. James) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2

Quarterfinals: Coughlin-Koskiniemi (SM) def. Mandi Stencel-Sara Anderson (Maple River) 6-4, 7-5

Semifinals: Coughlin-Koskiniemi vs. Kate Roach-Amber Washington (Mounds Park Academy) 8 a.m. Friday

Aitkin Doubles

Opening round: Kate Roach-Amber Washington (Mounds Park Academy) def. Allie Carlson-Kaitlyn Davies 6-1, 6-0

Consolation quarterfinals: Catherine James-Lauren Alsaker (Benson-KMS) def. Carlson-Davies 7-5, 6-3