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The Ramblers defeated South St. Paul 6-1 in the first of three matches Tuesday.
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Cotter's No. 1 singles player Allie Gernes lunges for the ball Wednesday during a match against Rochester John Marshall during a tournament held in Winona. (photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News) |
The next two, however, went the opposite way, as Cretin-Durham Hall and Rochester John Marshall picked up victories, 6-1 and 5-2.
“These were all very competitive teams, and I think we played pretty well for our first time out,” first-year Cotter coach Sara Clements said.
Cotter is a young team, but a veteran team, too. One of those young veterans is sophomore Jillian Wunderlich, who has been starting varsity since eighth grade.
Wunderlich came away with three victories at No. 4 singles.
Wunderlich defeated South St. Paul’s Katie Hogan 6-3, 6-0, Cretin-Durham Hall’s Delaney Dobbs 6-0, 6-2 and John Marshall’s Katie Krull 6-3, 6-1.
“Against (Dobbs), I was surprised to get the first set 6-0,” Wunderlich admitted.
Wunderlich is one of three sophomores who has been starting since eighth grade. The other two are Val Mahlke and Chelsey Brosig.
Along with those three, sophomore Molly Biesanz is in her second year on varsity.
“In eighth grade, we didn’t know what to expect,” Wunderlich said. “But I like being a young team. It’s fun to grow together.”
The Ramblers are led by top singles players Allie Gernes, who is a junior, and senior Erica Hengel.
Hengel and Wunderlich were the only winners in the loss to John Marshall. Hengel defeated Robyn Miller 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
Aside from Wunderlich, Cotter singles players or doubles teams only managed just one win each.
“For some like Jillian, it was their day, and for others, it wasn’t,” Clements said. “But they all played hard, despite the (hot) weather and playing three matches.”
After sweeping doubles matches in the win over South St. Paul, Cotter’s doubles teams couldn’t pick up a victory.
Clements isn’t too worried, however, because it’s early and those teams were just put together Monday.
“Some of them played together last year, but we did just get them worked out,” Clements said. “I think once they get more time together, we will become more competitive.”
