Cardinal tennis sweeps home triangular
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FAIRMONT - Carly Gustafson's comeback made it official. After finding herself down 5-2 in the second set to Belle Plaine's Elise Davidson, Gustafson rallied quickly to her strengths, winning five straight points to secure the match victory.
This match victory notched the Cardinals’ second win of the day during their home triangular competition last Saturday. Taking down Austin earlier in the afternoon, 7-0, Fairmont 5-2 surged past the Tigers to secure the sweep. On a hot, humid day playing on the Cardinals’ new home courts, pushing through to win both matches was an impressive sign.
But these wins did more than show Fairmont's strengths. It maintained the undefeated 6-0 record. This start to the season has set a standard, setting the girls up for what should be another successful fall.
"These matches gave our girls confidence, showing how well they can compete at different levels," Fairmont girls tennis assistant coach Tim Slama said. "Now they are ready to keep putting in the hard work as we push further into the season, with some good matchups right around the corner."
Match one: Austin
The original 10:00 a.m. start time got pushed back half an hour due to damp courts from Friday night's rain. But the delay in action didn't seem to faze any of the Cardinal players during their duel with the Packers.
All but one singles match against the Austin opponents were straight sets. Emelia Klanderud beat Giselle Hinks. Cadleigh Jobe outlasted Paw Clay. And Raegan Olson got the upper hand over Clara Owens.
Katherine Zelaya, who was placed in Fairmont's No. 2 spot, won her first set over Else Christianson 6-3. The senior regrouped during the quick break and fired on all cylinders, winning 6-0 to close out the singles.
For the doubles, it was a similar showing from the top down. Fairmont pairings never let off the brakes from the first serve to the last, winning every match by nearly straight sets to add to its lead.
Allison Slama and Gustafson had no trouble beating Megan Grush and Lydia Masara, 6-0, 6-0. Ada Edmundson and Ella Dresselhaus won 6-1 in consecutive sets over Danica Helle and Lucy Annis. In the No. 3 doubles spot, it was Malana Nigon and Ellena Laven beating Eve Snater and Emma Grush, 6-0, 6-1. Fairmont's 7-0 victory was the second time this season they've won every match, previously accomplishing it over Worthington on August 27.
Match two: Belle Plaine
Tim Slama knew the following match against Belle Plaine later in the day would be a big challenge, saying the Tigers would pose as Fairmont's toughest opponent so far this season. Belle Plaine entered the day with a 2-0 record after beating Southwest Christian and Marshall, respectively.
Fairmont didn't just answer the challenge; they did more than compete. The Cardinals flexed their muscles as a real threat in the southern Minnesota area. And the four straight singles wins proved it.
"It really indicated that we are one of the best teams in southern Minnesota," Tim Slama said. At practice, the girls demonstrate how well they play, but this matchup proves that they can put that ability to the test when it comes time to show up."
The Cardinals threw out some of their top talent in these singles - No. 1 Allison Slama, No. 2 Klanderud, No. 3 Gustafson, and No. 4 Edmundson. It set an advantage in the overall meet scoring.
Allison Slama defeated Michelle Sloan in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. Klanderud won over Kennah Skluzacek, 6-2, 6-0. Edmundson was the third to finish after taking down Cesi Ledesma in a competitive 6-3, 6-1 match. Gustafson's rally at the end solidified the contest in Fairmont's favor.
Fairmont would go 1-2 in doubles. Olivia Endres and Ella Thorstad beat Jobe and Dresselhaus, 6-0, 6-1. Zelaya and Laven pushed Nina Messer and Taylor Menke to three sets before ultimately falling. After losing 7-6, the Cardinal pairing won set two 6-1. Messer and Menke got the upper hand in the tiebreak, winning 10-7.
Nigon and Lexi Haycraft secured the final Fairmont point with their 6-2, 6-2 win over Josephine Voigt and Evelyn Boelter.
Both contests against Austin and Belle Plaine showed what Tim Slama thinks is one of Fairmont's biggest strengths. The depth this team carries is a weapon against opponents. Cardinal players are more than comfortable playing both singles and doubles matches.
"The depth in our lineup has been key," Tim Slama said. "Up and down the line, we can mix and match. Many of our girls can play singles or doubles. Having two of the best girls [Allison Slama and Emelia Klanderud] in the state gives us flexibility to put them in multiple places at any time.”