The Park Rapids girls tennis team has had to battle to open the season with a 2-0 record.
After opening the season with a 4-3 win at East Grand Forks in a Section 8A match on Aug. 25, the Panthers opened Mid-State Conference play with a hard-fought 6-1 win at Detroit Lakes on Thursday, Aug. 27.
That 6-1 margin was deceptive as the host Lakes won the opening set in four of the seven matches before Park Rapids rallied.
Abby Morris’ 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 1 singles was the only lopsided victory for the Panthers. The other five wins for Park Rapids were close.
Hannah Morgan also posted a straight-set win with a 7-5, 6-3 decision at No. 4 singles while Macy Goochey and Morgan Koppelman won a first-set tiebreaker en route to a 7-6, 6-2 victory at No. 2 doubles.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Panthers had to overcome early deficits to prevail in the three other matches.
Emily Schulz dropped the opening set before rallying for a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win at No. 3 singles. Cassidy Bera and Mickey Clark also lost the first set before coming back for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 1 doubles. At No. 3 doubles, Shailyn Hayes and Abby Runyan took control after dropping the first set for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win.
The Panthers travel to Crookston for another section match on Tuesday (Sept. 1) before making their home debut by hosting Roseau in another section match on Thursday (Sept. 3) at 2 p.m. at the Depot Courts.
Park Rapids 6, Detroit Lakes 1
No. 1 singles: Abby Morris, PR, over Arianna Leitheiser 6-0, 6-1.
No. 2 singles: Siri Vagle, DL, over Natalie Harvey 6-0, 6-1.
No. 3 singles: Emily Schulz, PR, over Amaya LeCleir 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
No. 4 singles: Hannah Morgan, PR, over Taylor Winter 7-5, 6-3.
No. 1 doubles: Cassidy Bera/Mickey Clark, PR, over Mya Anderson/Skylar Nelson 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
No. 2 doubles: Macy Goochey/Morgan Koppelman, PR, over Marit Engum/Abby Noll 7-6, 6-2.
No. 3 doubles: Shailyn Hayes/Abby Runyan, PR, over Anna Askelson/Bella Wilson 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
