Depth plays crucial role in Fairmont girls tennis success
The Cardinals begin sections next Tuesday
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FAIRMONT - Assistant coach Tim Slama could only think of one team. The 2021 Fairmont girls tennis team was the only other team that had as good a regular season as this year's lineup.
Both groups had some similarities. Each team carried two losses going into section play. Each team flexed incredible depth across the roster. But there's one thing the 2021 team did that Slama hopes can be repeated in the coming week, that is, making a trip to the state tournament.
"In our state tournament year, in 2021, we got fourth in state," Tim Slama said. "We had two regular season losses then too. But in recent memory, before that and over the past 30 years, this is one of our better teams."
A one-two punch
A lot of the success has stemmed from Fairmont's top two players - freshman Allison Slama and senior Emelia Klanderud. Allison Slama and Klanderud entered the fall with sound expectations. Expectations to build on the 2025 fall.
Both had strong showings as the Cardinals’ No. 1 and No. 2 singles players a year prior. They even displayed flexibility by qualifying for the Class A Individual Championship Doubles State Tournament and making the second round. Both have continued to make an impact this fall.
"We know in every match that we are probably going to have the top two girls out there," Tim Slama said. "Right now, Allison is ranked No. 10 in the state, and Emelia is ranked No. 13. No other team has that high of top-ranked girls. Two of them like that."
Allison Slama has transitioned smoothly to her freshman year. She won many matches, carrying an ability to make strong returns and force opponents to commit errors. The difference this year, however, has been her willingness to be the enforcer.
"This year I think she can win it," Tim Slama said. "Last year, it was more about keeping it in play and forcing the other person to mess up. This year, she's got a lot stronger, and she’s hitting the winners. Or she's able to develop some points where she's able to get a drop shot and then put it away."
Klanderud has continued to be that steady presence for Fairmont while playing her fifth year at the varsity level. It's a mix of her athletic abilities and court presence that makes things difficult for opponents. The experience of playing this many matches is paying off. Allison Slama earned her 50th career win against River Valley, while Klanderud's showing versus Blue Earth Area marked No. 75.
"Fitness-wise, it's hard to hit a winner against her with her track background," Tim Slama said of Klanderud. "She's so quick, can get to everything, and doesn't make the mistakes. And in tennis, she's so long too, where she can put balls away at the net."
Keeping opponents guessing
One of the biggest differences from last year's team to now is the strategic lineup changes Tim Slama and Laura Olsen make on a match-by-match basis.
"Last year, we ran into trouble when opponents knew what our lineup would be," Tim Slama said. "Opponents would stack against us, putting their top girls, instead of No. 1 and No. 2 singles, put them at No. 1 doubles. Halfway through last year, we started to mix and match Allison and Emelia into doubles to keep opponents’ guard so they couldn't prepare that way."
Tim Slama and Olsen have been more than comfortable shifting the singles and doubles lineup dramatically. The ability to slide players between the two sides speaks volumes to the depth Fairmont has. It hasn't been a concrete set of individuals each contest, but rather, a fluid stream of different faces.
Typical singles players No. 3 Carly Gustafson and No. 4 Ada Edmundson can move up the lineup. Cadleigh Jobe, Katherine Zelaya and Raegan Olson have stepped up into singles when any opening is in need of a fill. Everyone seems willing to compete in either or.
"We've carried over this year," Tim Slama said. "Sometimes we have Allison and Emelia at No. 1 and No. 2. Sometimes we have one of them in doubles and one in singles. Then we sort of trickle that down between Carly, Katherine and Ada too. You just never know what we're going to do, and I think it's very helpful to have that depth."
Unfinished business
No. 2 Fairmont starts the Section 2A Girls Tennis Bracket next Tuesday, hosting the winner of Blue Earth Area or River Valley. The biggest test for Tim Slama and Olsen's team? No. 1 St. James.
The Saints gave Fairmont one of its two losses this year. On paper, a 6-1 defeat shouldn't bring much optimism for a potential rematch in the section final. Although, looking at each match, the Cardinals should be hopeful that their growth since September 1 can pay off.
Slama, Klanderud and Gustafson each had a tiebreaker loss in one of the two sets. Zelaya and Addison Toothaker took Soraya Aguilar and Julia Wesiman to three sets before falling, 0-6, 7-5, 3-6. Edmundson was the lone point scorer after defeating Adyson Leimer, 2-6, 7-6, 10-5.
A glance at the box score doesn't tell the whole story. Fairmont could have another crack at the section's top team. If that chance comes its way, Tim Slama and Olsen hope a few more balls can bounce in the Cardinals' favor.
"Going into the match, it's easy to go, 'Oh, undefeated team, reigning state champs, No. 1 ranked.' You try to pump everyone up, but it's easy to be a little unsure," Tim Slama said. "Now, we know we can play with them. I think we can go in with confidence on a neutral court."