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The North Branch tennis team was beaten 7-0 by Spring Lake Park Tuesday, September 11. Playing at home, the Vikings' second doubles team, Catie Bettendorf and Crystal Miller, put up the best fight, losing 3-6, 5-7.

"Not a good day for us, overall," said North Branch head coach Tom McLauglin. "The girls played hard, but were a bit unfocused before the match. Most of the other girls were able to keep one set close, but not the other."

Blaine Tournament

Saturday, September 15

Hill Murray 4, North Branch 3

"We changed our lineup a great deal this day and found more success. The girls were tired after homecoming the night before, but were able to play hard all day," McLaughlin said.

Mandy Johnson won at third singles (7-5, 6-4) despite playing singles for the first time at the varsity level. "Mandy never gives up on the ball and is able to hit shots back that many players would watch go past," the coach noted.

Crystal Miller won at fourth singles by a score of 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) by, "hitting smart shots and using the whole court throughout her match" according to McLaughlin.

The third Viking point came at first doubles, where Sara Byrne and Bailey Milligan won 7-5, 6-2.

Blaine 6, North Branch 1

"We lost two of the matches in third set tiebreakers, making it closer than the score would suggest," McLaughlin explained. "Crystal Miller, at fourth singles, lost 6-1, 4-6, (4-10) as she continued to exhibit excellent court vision."

Playing, again, at first doubles, Sara Byrne and Bailey Milligan lost 7-5, 2-6, (4-10) to the first doubles team that won the tournament.

"Our lone point was won at second doubles by Catie Bettendorf and Emily Byrne (6-3, 4-6, (10-8). Catie and Emily are rarely caught out of position on the doubles court and both played aggressively all day long," the coach continued. "The rest of the singles line-up played great in this match, in particular, and looked much stronger than just a week ago."

Spring Lake Park 5, NB 2

"Our second chance at them in the same week, and we very nearly swept the singles spots. Katie Wicklund, at first singles, continued her strong play on this day, before losing 2-6, 7-5, (7-10) in a third set tiebreaker," McLaughlin said.

The two Viking points came at second and third singles. At second, Sara Fletcher won 2-6, 6-3, (10-3), in a third set tiebreaker. Mandy Johnson won her second match of the day 2-6, 6-3, (10-8). The win, in a third set tiebreaker, earned her the runner-up medal for third singles at the tournament.

"Crystal Miller played tiebreakers in all her matches at fourth singles today, but lost her last one," the coach said. Miller's scores in her final match were 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, (5-10). "Second doubles, Catie Bettendorf and Emily Byrne, and third doubles, Jessica Klow and Quiana Quam, also continued their improvement in this match in losing efforts," McLaughlin concluded.

At St. Francis,

Monday September 17

St. Francis 5, North Branch 2

"For the first time this year, we won at first and second singles. Katie Wicklund won (6-2, 6-0) at first singles and Mandy Johnson won (6-0, 6-0) at second," McLaughlin commented. "Both girls were in control from the start of their matches and dictated play throughout."

At third doubles, Jessica Klow and Quiana Quam lost in three sets (6-4, 2-6, 3-6). "Crystal Miller, at third singles, and Sarah Byrne and Bailey Milligan, at first doubles, played close for one set, but we could only manage the two points," McLaughlin explained.

The Vikings travel to Chisago Lakes today (Thursday, September 27) for an NSC meet beginning at 4:00.

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