MINNEAPOLIS — The Blue Earth Area girls tennis team’s stellar season came to a disappointing end on Tuesday. But for the Bucs’ young lineup, the season’s conclusion could be a valuable lesson.

Playing in the Class A state tournament for the first time since 2014, and just the second time since 1995, the Bucs lost to Osakis, 6-1, in the quarterfinals and then lost to Virginia, 5-2, in the consolation semifinals at the Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center.

“Even though we weren’t expected to get here,” said Bucs coach Konny Wolff, “It’s still disappointing to end the season this way. For the young ones on our team, it was a great experience and hopefully will open the door for them to play a little more tennis and get better.”

After the Bucs’ loss to Osakis, the Section 6 champion, Wolff said, “I hope we play better this afternoon.”

Four hours after losing to the Silverstreaks, the Bucs did play a better match but were unable to overcome Virginia, the Section 7 champion.

A bright spot for the Bucs was freshman Te’a Armstrong, who won both of her matches at No. 4 singles. Armstrong improved to 17-0 at No. 4 singles in dual meets this season. Against Virginia, the Bucs’ other point came from the No. 1 doubles team of Malarie Scholtes and Carissa Engesser.

Bucs shake off the rust

Playing a dual meet for the first time since winning the Section 3A championship on Oct. 5, the Bucs opened the day against Osakis.

“We didn’t play very well,” said Wolff. “Not to take anything away from Osakis, because they are a good team, but we didn’t play as well as we can.”

The Silverstreaks (21-2), playing in the state tournament for the first time since 2014, dominated the Bucs — sweeping the doubles and winning three of four singles matches.

Osakis coach Ryan Maddock said, “I don’t think we can play any better than that. After losing in the section finals three straight years before winning this year, I think the kids played unburdened. They were exceptional.”

The Silverstreaks, who will play Holy Family in the semifinals today, have four underclassmen playing singles while four of their six doubles players are seniors.

At No. 1 singles, Osakis freshman Tia Dykema, who qualified for the individual last year as an eighth-grader and again this year, won, 6-2, 6-3.

Armstrong provided the Bucs’ only point with a nearly flawless 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 4 singles.

Virginia tops the Bucs

Virginia, which had suffered a 4-3 loss to Holy Family Catholic in the first quarterfinal of the day Tuesday morning, won three singles matches and two doubles matches to improve to 14-8 on the season.

Scholtes and Engesser teamed for a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Blue Devils seniors Mia Cope Robinson and Chloe Gerlach.

Armstrong’s 6-1, 6-1 victory helped the Bucs’ forge a 2-2 tie with three matches still going on.

“We played much better against Virginia,” said Wolff. “We had a great season.”

The losses dropped the Bucs’ record to 17-4. The Bucs were 6-9 last season.

Individual tournament

Armstrong and Julia Hanson will compete in the individual portion of the tournament. Armstrong and Hanson will play third-seeded Avery Stilwell and Shanna Kinny of Litchfield in the first round on Thursday morning at the Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center.

Minnesota Class A State

Team Tennis Tournament

Quarterfinals

Osakis 6, Blue Earth Area 1

Singles: Tia Dykema (O) def. Macie Stevermer, 6-2, 6-3; Shea Olson (O) def. Julia Hanson, 6-1, 6-4; Lauren Scherr (O) def. Arika Howard, 6-4, 6-4; Te’a Armstrong (BEA) def. Alexa Lien, 6-3, 6-2.

Doubles: Kali Giesler-Karlee Hoffarth (O) def. Malarie Scholtes-Carissa Engesser, 6-1, 6-0; Camryn Hoffarth-Kiara Hensley (O) def. McKenna Dutton-Britt Howard, 6-2, 7-6 (3); Dinara Dykema-Mara VanNyhuis (O) def. Cali Beyer-Sydney Blagg, 6-4, 6-3.

Consolation semifinals

Virginia 5, B.E. Area 2

Singles: Anna Seitz (V) def. Macie Stevermer, 6-0, 6-3; Ava Warren (V) def. Julia Hanson, 6-3, 6-2; Mary Skorich (V) def. Arika Howard, 6-1, 6-1; Te’a Armstrong (BEA) def. Katie Scherf, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: Malarie Scholtes-Carissa Engesser (BEA) def. Mia Cope Robinson-Chloe Gerlach, 7-5, 6-3; Jacie Smith-Anneka Lundgren (V) def. McKenna Dutton-Britt Howard, 6-2, 6-3; Jayda Westerbur-Bekah Davidson (V) def. Cali Beyer-Sydney Blagg, 6-4, 7-5.

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State Team Quarterfinals

• Blake 7, Litchfield 0

• Holy Family 4, Virginia 3

• Osakis 6, Blue Earth Area 1

• Rochester Lourdes 5, Roseau 2

Consolation semifinals

• Virginia 5, Blue Earth Area 2

• Litchfield 7, Roseau 0