Tennis: Rosemount misses chance at repeat title

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Rosemount girls tennis coach Dana Beck knew a return trip to the state tournament would be tough this season.

As the No. 2 seed last season, the Irish upset top-seeded Eagan on the way to the team’s first state tournament appearance.

After the Irish beat Prior Lake, 6-1, last week, a rematch between the two teams came again this season.

Eagan was again the top seed. Rosemount again was the underdog second seed.

In another close match, this time Eagan proved able to hold its seed and won, 4-3, last week to win the team section title.

“After our upset last year of Eagan, the No. 1 seed to go to state, we knew it would be tough to do it again, but we were going to give it our best shot,” Beck said. “We knew we could be competitive with them as we had a score of 3-4 during our conference match early on in the season and the Irish were fired up for the task at hand.”

Ally Baker won 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 singles. Makayla Newberry and Heather Castner won 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 at first doubles. And Kristen Hoffmann and Megan Harrington won 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) at No. 2 doubles, but it wouldn’t be enough.

As the top seed in the section individual tournament, Virginia Norder is still alive and advanced to the singles finals. Baker and Newberry teamed up and are playing in the third place match in doubles play.

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