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The North Branch tennis team won matches at first and second singles at St. Louis Park Wednesday September 18. However, those were the only two points they earned as the Orioles gained a 5-2 conference win over the Vikings.

Senior Katie Wicklund won 6-4, 6-3 at first singles in what Viking head coach Tom McLaughlin called, "One of her best complete matches of the year." Sara Fletcher, playing second singles, won 7-6 (9-7), 5-7 and 11-9 in a third set super tiebreaker.

"We struggled at most other positions during this match," McLaughlin added.

At Princeton Invitational Saturday, September 22

North Branch 4, Duluth East 3

"We played probably our best tennis of the year for part of today, after changing our lineup again," McLaughlin commented. "We have lacked consistency at many of our positions this year and have been looking for our strongest lineup. I think we have found it now."

Singles

1S Katie Wicklund continued her strong play, winning 7-6 (7-5), 6-0.

2S Sara Fletcher started slowly, before losing 0-6, 5-7.

3S Sarah Byrne won 6-2, 3-6, (12-10) in a third set super tiebreaker. "Her opponent played a very strong second set, but Sarah kept her composure during the tiebreaker to earn the win," the coach explained.

4S Bailey Milligan won easily 6-4, 6-1.

Doubles

1D Playing together for the first time, Crystal Miller and Mandy Johnson lost 4-6, 3-6 in a close match.

2D Catie Bettendorf and Emily Byrne won 6-4, 6-3.

3D Jessica Klow and Quiana Quam lost a close match in a super tiebreaker 4-6, 6-3, (6-10).

Grand Rapids/Greenway 3,

North Branch 4

"We only got one point in singles, though Katie Wicklund, again, played well at first singles," Mclaughlin said.

Singles

1S Katie Wicklund lost 4-6, 3-6.

3S Sarah Byrne won 3-6, 6-1, (10-8)

Doubles

1D "Crystal Miller and Mandy Johnson improved again, winning a very close match 5-7, 7-6 (10-8), (10-1) with a close tiebreaker to win the second set and, then, the third set super tiebreaker," the coach said.

2D Emily Byrne and Bailey Milligan won, "easily" 6-2, 6-3.

Princeton 5, North Branch 2

"We were running out of gas at the end of a long day and Princeton probably was as well," McLaughlin commented.

Singles

2S Sara Fletcher lost 6-0, 4-6, (7-10).

3S Sarah Byrne lost 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), (6-10).

4S Bailey Milligan won 6-1, 6-2.

Doubles

1D Crystal Miller and Mandy Johnson won 6-3, 6-4.

2D Catie Bettendorf and Emily Byrne lost 6-7 (7-5), 1-6.

3D, Jessica Klow and Quiana Quam lost 3-6, 6-4, (8-10).

"We lost three matches in third set super tiebreakers. We were close to winning this match, but either just didn't win the big points when we needed to or play consistently when we needed to. Overall these matches were a huge step forward for us," the coach continued.

Benilde-St. Margaret's at NB September 24 and 26

"Thunderstorms came in before we finished all the matches and, so, Benilde returned on Wednesday to finish the match," McLaughlin said.

"Crystal Miller and Mandy Johnson (at first doubles) provided the highlight of our match by continuing their strong play and winning our only point 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) in a tiebreaker for the third set. Mandy and Crystal have been playing some of the best doubles of any team we've ever had in recent memory. They're getting to the net and forcing the other team to have to hit better shots," the coach said.

In other close matches, Sarah Byrne lost 6-0, 3-6, 2-6 (at third singles) and Katie Wicklund lost at first singles 5-7, 4-6.

Chisago Lakes 5, NB 2 at CL, Thursday, September 27

In another meet interrupted by rain, Sarah Byrne continued her strong play at third singles by winning 6-4, 6-3 to take the only point for the Vikings in singles. The Vikings' other point came at first doubles, where Mandy Johnson and Crystal Miller won 6-2, 6-3. Sara Fletcher lost a close one at second singles by scores of 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, and (9-11).

"This was a match we really wanted to win, but we weren't really close in any of the other matches," McLaughlin commented.

Conference Tournament

Saturday, September 29

The North Suburban Conference Tennis Tournament, played at Fridley, Spring Lake Park and Totino-Grace, was cut short by rain.

Before it rained, Mandy Johnson and Crystal Miller were in the semifinals of the tournament, having beaten Irondale in the first round and the third-seeded team from St. Francis in the second round.

"Earlier in the week they had beaten the first seeded team (from Benilde-St. Margaret's) and the second seeded team from Chisago Lakes in dual meets," coach McLaughlin said. "The third doubles team of Jessica Klow and Kacey Fuller won their first match against Columbia Heights before losing to the top seeded team from Benilde-St. Margaret's," McLaughlin concluded.

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