Irish start conference season strong

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Rosemount’s girls tennis team hit the ground running during the past week, with two tournaments and several other matches.

For coach Dana Beck, it was the perfect way to evaluate the talent on her team.

“I still have a few things that I need to figure out,” Beck said prior to the season opener. “We are not set in stone yet for a lineup.”

That lineup will be harder to fill out this year for Beck because she has a large group from which to choose, although she is not complaining.

“We have the most girls we have ever had out,” she said.

With 45 girls on the team, Beck is mixing and matching early in the season.

However, one thing has been clear. Seventh-grader Virginia Norder will be the No. 1 singles player for the Irish this year.

“She has shots to compete at that spot in seventh grade, which is incredible,” Beck said. “She knows how to play singles. She gives every shot 100 percent.”

Kasey Noll and Alex Nasal, both seniors, are also expected to play singles.

Michelle Boateng and Kayla Brewitz will team together in doubles, as will Shelby Gamache and Hailey Johnson, who played together last year on the junior varsity.

Meredith Olson is also a captain for the Irish and she will play doubles, according to Beck.

In the season-opening tourney at Buffalo, the Irish went 5-3 against Buffalo, 3-5 against Monticello and 7-1 against Rocori.

The Irish followed up the Buffalo tourney with the Hastings Tournament.

Rosemount scored 13 team points in the tournament. Woodbury took first place with 17, followed by Hastings with 16. Fridley had six points.

Norder won two of three matches at No. 1 singles. Kayla Ross was 0-3 at No. 2 singles, and Nasal was 1-2 at No. 3. Jill Judy was 1-2 at No. 4 singles.

Noll and Makayla Newberry went 2-1 at No. 1 doubles. Brewitz and Boateng won all three matches at No. 2 doubles. Gamache and Johnson went 2-1 at No. 3 doubles, while Olson, Katie Huffstutler and Kristen Hoffman went 2-1 at No. 4 doubles.

On Saturday, the Irish hosted a doubles flight tournament.

Newberry and Norder placed fourth out of eight teams in their flight. Noll and Judy took sixth, while Boateng and Brewitz were fourth. Ross and Huffstutler won the consolation match. Gamache and Johnson won the consolation championship as well.

On Monday, the Irish beat Eastview 4-3.

“It was such an exciting win and great start to our conference season,” Beck said.

Huffstutler and Judy pulled out the last win at No. 3 doubles 7-5, 7-5 to clinch the match.

Sara Feeser, Nasal and the doubles team of Boateng and Brewitz also were victorious.

On Tuesday, the Irish beat South St. Paul 6-1 to continue their strong start to the season.

“I am excited about the season,” Beck said. “I think we are a stronger team even than from the first few days of watching them play. I am hoping to improve our record from last year.”

Tags: sports, tennis, girls