FAIRMONT — Laura Olsen is neither new to the sport of prep tennis nor the Fairmont girls program, but her first year as the Cardinals’ head coach has presented some new angles to work around due to the current pandemic.

After serving as an assistant coach for the past two fall campaigns, Olsen fills the vacancy created by Eric Johnson’s resignation during the offseason.

“Eric put a lot of work into building a great program, so it’s nice to take over one that’s already established,” said Olsen, a former four-sport athlete, including three varsity tennis seasons, at Estherville-Lincoln Central High School. “We have almost 50 girls out for tennis this year, so that’s a testimony to Eric’s dedication and hard work during the regular season and summer.

“He took me under his wing as a coach and taught me a lot, so I really appreciate that.”

Despite all of Johnson’s preparatory efforts, Olsen never imagined a season filled with social distancing, protective masks, a modified schedule consisting of 10 regular-season dual meets and no invitationals, and the likelihood of no Minnesota State High School League-sanctioned sectional or state competitions.

“When I found out I’d gotten the job (in the spring), I had some big ideas for the upcoming practices and season,” said Olsen, who’s a physical therapist assistant at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont. “Once the pandemic hit, I definitely had to switch gears about what we could and couldn’t do.

“We have such little control over the current situation, so now we have to find the positives within it. I told the girls we don’t have to get over it, but we do have to somehow get past it.”

When the Cardinal netters open the season by playing host to the River Valley Wildcats — which is a sharing combination between Sleepy Eye and Springfield — in a 4:30 p.m. dual meet Monday in Fairmont, Olsen will likely fill out her varsity lineup with nine of last season’s 10 starters who compiled a 15-8 dual-meet record.

“I’m fortunate to have three returning captains and Emily (Hagen), who’s been a good leader by example the past couple of seasons,” Olsen said in reference to senior Lauren Green and the junior tandem of Claire Nemmers and Briana Joseph. “Emily brings good energy to the team and has really stepped up in her role as a captain this year.

“In fact, all four of our captains worked so hard on organizing a captains’ practice, then found out last week that we couldn’t have one. It’s disappointing, but we’re just happy to have the chance to play this season.”

Hagen, a senior, combined skills with junior Ellie Hernes in doubles action in 2019, and will likely return to that side of the court again in 2020.

Nemmers, Joseph and Lauren Green, in addition to junior Maggy Totzke, all return to the Cardinal Courts after filling out the singles bracket last fall.

In fact, Nemmers and Joseph each earned medalist honors during the Section 3A individual tournament, with Nemmers becoming the first Fairmont singles player to qualify for the state meet since 2013.

Nemmers fended off Joseph in the sectional’s true-second challenge match to capture her first-ever state bid.

“I thought Claire made a big jump by qualifying for state last season, and that’s really fed her drive to improve during the offseason,” said Olsen. “I think she not only learned that she can play with the better players in the section, but she also has recognized the role she can play in helping her teammates get better.”

Olsen believes that Joseph also gained valuable experience from capturing the sectional’s bronze medal in the singles division in 2019.

“I think Briana realized her potential during both days at the section individual tournament, in addition to catching glimpses into her opportunity to grow while helping her teammates improve at the same time,” said Olsen.

Joseph and Nemmers each merited selection to the 2019 all-Big South Conference first team for their efforts, while Maggy Totzke and junior Lauren Davis netted all-conference honorable mention status.

While Nemmers, Joseph and Maggy Totzke will likely return to the singles bracket and Davis will be back in doubles play, Olsen recognizes the flexibility with such a deep and talent-laden roster.

“Lauren (Green) is probably one of the harder-hitting No. 4 singles players in the area, so we (coaching staff) will give her some opportunities to play a couple of spots this year,” said Olsen, whose coaching staff will be comprised of junior varsity mentor Tim Slama and junior high coach Whitney Erickson.

Hernes and Davis will likely return to the doubles bracket, along with junior Libby Totzke and sophomore Anika Haugen. Davis combined with 2020 FHS graduate Bergen Senf at No. 1 doubles in last fall’s sectional team quarterfinal, Hernes teamed with Hagen at the No. 2 position, while Libby Totzke and Haugen combined forces at No. 3 doubles.

Olsen also anticipates sophomore Shannon Green, who competed in a number of varsity meets a year ago, along with the freshman duo of Abi Peyman and Hope Klanderud, and the senior tandem of Annika Wheeler and Brooke VanGelderen, figuring into the competitive varsity mix.

Fairmont will face River Valley, defending Section 3A team champion Blue Earth Area, New Ulm, St. Peter and Waseca in home-and-away dual meets during the upcoming modified Big South Conference’s East Division competition. According to rSchool online, the champions from the East and West Divisions are scheduled to square off for the conference championship on Saturday, Oct. 3.

“Even though our bleachers have been removed, we still welcome the support of our fans at the meets,” said Olsen. “Spectators can bring their own chairs and practice social distancing outside the fences. I think watching will be a positive outlet for fans, too.”

Like nearly every athletic director and coach throughout the state, Olsen is not sure whether the MSHSL will offer a postseason this fall, but hopes to make the best of the current situation.

“It’s an unconventional season, so maintaining our mental toughness is more important than ever,” said Olsen. “It’ll be a bit disappointing if we don’t have a postseason, but our team is just happy to have the opportunity to play this season.”