Tennis team reverses outcome in 5-2 win

A year older and more experienced, the Hutchinson girls’ tennis team has found a reversal in outcomes of close matches.

Instead of falling 4-3 or 5-2, the Tigers have been able to pull out the close victories, which has led them to a 7-2 mark.

The latest win came Tuesday in a road match at sectional opponent Orono. Hutchinson lost 5-2 a year ago, but came out on the winning end of a 5-2 decision this year.

The Tigers lost all four singles matches last season, but it was exact opposite this year as Emily Seller, Taylor Reiner, Kate Byron and Steph Steenhoek all won in straight sets for the clinching four points.

The No. 1 doubles team of Anna Rasmussen and Emily Klitzke also won in three sets, including 7-5 in the deciding third set, to close out the match.

The key section win came a day after defending section champion Minnetonka won a dual 6-1 at the Hutchinson tennis courts.

The Skippers, who graduated five players from a year ago, swept the singles matches and took three-set wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles.

The Tigers No. 2 team of Jenna Juergensen and Katie Haugen won in straight sets, 6-4 and 6-1.

Rasmussen and Klitzke won the first set 7-6 in a tie-breaker, but lost the next two tie-breakers, 7-4.

Cortney Hallahan and Ashley Lund also forced three sets at the third doubles position.

Hutchinson hosts another 2AA opponent in Delano at 10 a.m. Friday.

Eric Kraushar is the sports editor at the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sports@hutchinsonleader.com.