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North Branch Invite-

Champlin Park 6

North Branch 1

If the competition wasn't enough, add a constant rain shower, making last Thursday's North Branch Invite a chore in more ways than one for the host Vikings.

First off, North Branch and Champlin Park locked horns in the first match of the day.  Kelsey O'Hern returned to the court after taking Tuesday off, grabbing her third win of the season at number two singles, 8-6.  However, O'Hern was the only Viking to taste victory, falling 6-1, dropping to 1-6 on the season. “Kelsey had a great match to come back and win,” replied Unverzagt. “She dug deep and really stuck with a tough opponent.”

Champlin Park 6

North Branch 1

Singles-

Sonnenfeld lost 8-2

O'Hern won 8-6

Zellmer lost 8-4

Lindberg lost 8-2

Doubles-

Sampson/Heilig lost 8-3

Fletcher/Scribner lost 8-3

Stefonick/Bredahl lost 8-2

Mora 6

North Branch 1

More than a week ago, the Vikings beat up on Princeton, a conference rival, at the Elk River tournament.  Even though the win did not register in the conference standings, from a confidence standpoint, the benefits went much deeper than their conference record.  Last Thursday against Mora, North Branch saw another conference foe in Mora, hoping to ride the conference wave even further.

Unfortunately, the Mustangs used the opportunity to offically announce themselves as one of the Rum River's best.  Mora started fast and furious, only allowing the Vikings to strike for one win, then coming at number three singles.  Other than that, the match was dominated by blue and white leading to a 6-1 win.

“Mora was a tough match and we will have to gear up to face them again in a few weeks,” stated Unverzagt.  “Doubles did a great job attacking the net and being aggressive, but unfortunately it wasn't enough.”

Michelle Zellmer picked up the lone Viking victory, winning 8-3.  At number one singles, Danielle Sonnenfeld came close but was edged out late, falling 8-6.

Mora 6

North Branch 1

Singles-

Sonnenfeld lost 8-6

O'Hern lost 8-1

Zellmer won 8-3

Lindberg lost 8-0

Doubles-

Sampson/Heilig lost 8-3

Fletcher/Scribner lost 8-1

Stefonick/Bredahl lost 8-1

Centennial 7

North Branch 0

Things went from uncomfortable to miserable versus Centennial in the third match of the day.  With two lopsided losses behind them, the Vikings were handed their worst defeat of the day and arguably their worst of the season, falling to the Cougars 7-0.  During all seven matches, North Branch managed to win just six games.

“Centennial was a difficult match for us,” remarked Unverzagt.  “That was a good match for us to gage where we would like to be at the end of the season.”

Centennial wrapped up the tourney title with the win while Mora placed second.  The loss moved the Vikings season record to 1-8 overall.

“All in all it was a good day to get us focused,” said Unverzagt.

The Vikings now will focus on their next match against Forest Lake on Firday before taking on Pine City on Tuesday. Both matches will be at home.

Centennial 7

North Branch 0

Singles-

Sonnenfeld lost 8-0

O'Hern lost 8-1

Zellmer lost 8-1

Lindberg lost 8-0

Doubles-

Sampson/Heilig lost 8-31

Fletcher/Scribner lost 8-2

Stefonick/Johnston lost 8-1

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