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With a few of their toughest matches past them already, the Chisago Lakes girls tennis team focused on working their way into contention in the North Suburban Conference.

They worked on that task in against Columbia Heights, and it proved to be successful, but a visit to Irondale halted that momentum the Wildcats had built against the Hylanders.

Chisago Lakes 4, Columbia Heights 3

The Wildcats jumped out to an early 3-0 lead against the Hylanders with slick play in their doubles teams.

The second doubles tandem of Cassie Glenna and Jenna Dobosenski were first off the court with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory. "Cassie and Jenna are becoming more aggressive in their play, and it is paying off for them," said Head Coach Steve Otte. "They are moving up on their opponents serves and taking control of points earlier than they had been."

At third doubles, Anne Sedlund and Laurel Harvey dominated their match from start to finish, winning 6-1, 6-0. Both girls placed the ball well according to Otte, and both have been consistent at keeping the ball in play. "When they play like this, they are going to be hard to beat," Otte said point blank.

Alicia Ristow and Michelle Caneday also breezed through their first doubles match, winning 6-1, 6-3. Otte explained that the major difference in the match was Ristow and Caneday's ability to take the net away from their opponents.

Needing just one win in the singles points for a team win, the Wildcats had to fight tooth and nail to get that last digit.

Kelsey Ristow and Leah Lackas had a tough time at first singles and third singles, respectively, and dropped their matches. Ali Turnquist won her first set 7-5, but her Hylander opponent stormed back in the second and third set to win the match and leave it up to fourth singles player Cailin Engstrom.

Engstrom had lost the first set in her match 4-6, but it didn't phase the tough senior. She came back to win the second set 7-5, and in the last set, she pulled away for a 6-2 win for herself and for the team. "Cailin played some patient and consistent tennis to win at fourth singles and pull the match out," Otte said. "This was a very close match."

Irondale 6, CL 1

"Irondale is a tough team, and it continues this year," Otte pointed out about the Knights. "They are solid at singles and that makes them very hard to beat."

Otte knew the Knights well from their previous North Suburban Conference tilts, and he knew that points would be tough to come by against Irondale.

Kelsey Ristow faltered at first singles again, but Otte believes she is still improving and is on the brink of becoming very good for the Wildcats. "She is now keeping the ball deeper in the court," he said. "With each match she plays, she is becoming stronger."

The only win of the day came from the third doubles pair of Sedlund and Harvey. The two teamed up for an easy 6-2,6-2 win. "These two continue to complement each other on the court, and it propelled them to another victory today," Otte said.

Next on the Wildcats' plate is a NSC contest with St. Louis Park tonight, Sept. 18 at home. The match begins at 4 p.m.

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