Vikings beat Heights, KO'd by Elk River

Irondale 5, North Branch 2 Despite a loss for the North Branch girls tennis team, they got strong play and two points from their top two singles players against the Irondale Knights. Gabby Ruddy won her match at first singles 6-4, 6-1. “She just played stronger and stronger as the match went on,” Head Coach Tom McLaughlin said after the match. At second singles, Alexis Ferguson won 7-6 (11-9), 6-2. It was a tough first set, but Ferguson persevered through and finished the big comeback after being down 6-5. She kept her momentum going in the second set and breezed to the victory. St. Louis Park 5, North Branch 2 This time, the Lady Vikes got wins from their top two doubles teams. Cydney Bettendorf and Janice Elkerton played a solid match, winning 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. Christina Gamer and AlexAnn Koecher won easily 6-0, 6-0 at second doubles. “They never really allowed their opponents to get going in the match and dominated from beginning to end,” McLaughlin said. North Branch 6, Columbia Heights 1 The Vikes got their first victory in some time, and it was a nice welcome for them, The Vikings got points from three of their four singles players. Ruddy and fourth singles Britta Anderson both won 6-0, 6-0. Ferguson won 6-1, 6-3 at second singles. Bettendorf and Elkerton won 6-2, 6-4 at first doubles, Koecher and Gamer won 6-4, 6-3 at second, and Lizzie Anderson and Kaitlyn Johnson won 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4 at third doubles. The victory was Johnson’s first career win. Big Lake 5, North Branch 2 Bettendorf and Elkerton had a barnburner of a match, winning 7-5, 7-6 (8-6). “The girls kept their composure throughout,” McLaughlin said. “They played to their opponents weakness and didn’t let the cold and wind get to them.” Koecher and Gamer were the other point, winning 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Elk River 7, North Branch 0 The Vikings were swept out of the first round of sections by the top-seeded Elks of Elk River. North Branch’s singles players weren’t able to win a game against them and neither did the third doubles team, despite playing some good tennis. Individual sections begin on Thursday, Oct. 11 in St. Francis. Academic All-State The Vikings again qualified for the Academic All-State Gold status with an average GPA higher than 3.75 as a team. Four individuals qualified for Academic All-State for McLaughlin: Ruddy, Ferguson, Koecher and Gamer.