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7AA sub-section individual

tennis tournament-

This time of year, tennis players from around the state are pulling double duty. Not only is the section team tournament in motion, players have to focus on the individual tournament as well, trying to become one of six players in the section to make it to state.

Last Wednesday, at the sub-section individual tournament, three wins punched the ticket to the section tourney.

At number one singles, Chisago Lakes Philip Beitler, who had his state tournament ticket punched last season, breezed through the first day of competition, wining his first three matches, advancing to this weeks section tournament. Also in singles play, North Branch's’ Britt Baumann followed Beitler’s lead, grabbing two wins, also advancing to the section individual tournament.

“Phil’s turned around, he’s coming on strong right now,” said Phil Derksen, Chisago Lakes head tennis coach. “He wants to go back to state. Right now, it’s just a matter of getting it done.”

Elsewhere, in doubles play, the Chisago Lakes number one doubles team of Marcus Burgin and Steve Pieper also advanced to sections, also grabbing three wins.

“Right now, it’s all on the players’ shoulders,” remarked Derksen. “The team portion of the season is separate. It’s all on the players and how far they want to go.”

Now, it’s three more wins, as in three wins at the section meet to advance to state. The top two singles players and the top two doubles teams advance to the show, which will be held June 8-11.

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