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After struggling through most of the first half of the season, the Vikings girls tennis team got a reprieve last week in the form of Columbia Heights and Fridley.

NB 5, Columbia Heights 2

In their first North Suburban Conference win of the year, points at singles came from Emily Ziegler at second singles, who won 6-2, 7-6, 7-3, and Kaymen Ebnet, who won at fourth singles 7-5, 6-1. "After a rough start, Kaymen really made some adjustments and played much better the rest of the match," Head Coach Tom McLaughlin said.

All the doubles teams won easily. Katherine Helbig and Emily Rollins won 6-2, 6-0, Chelsea Gamer and Autumn Ruddy won 6-0, 6-2, and Whitney Jackson and Ashley Holscher won 6-1, 6-0.

NB 7, Fridley 0

"Top to bottome, our girls just played well against an inexperienced Fridley team," McLaughlin said after the sweep.

Katie Munns won 6-0, 6-0 at first singles, and Ziegler and Gabby Ruddy won by identical scores of 6-0, 6-1 at second and third singles.

Ebnet won 6-1, 6-2 at fourth singles to sweep the individual portion of the meet.

There wasn't much difference in the doubles matches. Helbig and Rollins at first, and Gamer and Autumn Ruddy at second won by identical scores of 6-1, 6-2. Jackson and Holscher won 6-1, 6-1.

"We got great play from all our positions this week," McLaughlin said. "I've been very happy with the progress all the girls have shown recently. I hope they can maintain their focus and continue to improve."

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