Not knowing the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, head coach Brianne Morris has encouraged the members of the Park Rapids girls tennis team to embrace every moment they get to spend on the courts.
So far this fall, the Panthers have had a tendency to stay on the courts for as long as possible.
In the first four dual meets of the season, Park Rapids has seen eight matches extended to three sets. The Panthers have been clutch down the stretch in all of those close matches by winning all eight battles that have gone the distance.
A Section 8A matchup against Roseau at the Depot Courts on Thursday (Sept. 3) was a prime example of that clutch play as the Panthers won all four three-set matches to spark a 5-2 victory.
All five of the Panthers’ wins were close, including all three of the doubles matches that went three sets.
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Abby Morris rebounded from a loss in the second set for a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win at No. 1 singles while Hannah Morgan won two close games in a 7-5, 6-4 victory at No. 4 singles.
The Panthers prevailed in all three doubles matches to improve to 2-1 against section opponents this fall
Mickey Clark and Macy Goochey overcame a loss in the first set to rally for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory at No. 1 doubles. Morgan Koppelman and Emily Schulz rebounded from a loss in the second set for a 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles. Shailyn Hayes and Abby Runyan also regrouped after dropping the second set in a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory at No. 3 doubles.
The Panthers will carry a 3-1 overall record into a Mid-State Conference dual against Wadena-Deer Creek at Wadena on Tuesday (Sept. 9).
Park Rapids 5, Roseau 2
No. 1 singles: Abby Morris, PR, Lindsay McFarlane 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
No. 2 singles: Ella Trangsrud, R, over Cassidy Bera 6-4, 6-0.
No. 3 singles: Julia Braaten, R, over Natalie Harvey 6-1, 6-0.
No. 4 singles: Hannah Morgan, PR, over Erin Brandt 6-4, 7-5.
No. 1 doubles: Mickey Clark/Macy Goochey, PR, over Haylee Bennett/Madison Verbout 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
No. 2 doubles: Morgan Koppelman/Emily Schulz, PR, over Savannah Byfuglien/Masynn Janicke 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.
No. 3 doubles: Shailyn Hayes/Abby Runyan, PR, over Jessie Danielson/Hope Grafstrom 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
