The Luverne Cardinals came up on the short end of a 4-3 decision when they traveled to Blue Earth Area for a tennis match Tuesday, Sept. 7, in Blue Earth.
On Thursday, Sept. 9, Marshall came to town and left with a 5-2 victory over the Cardinals.
Luverne was scheduled for two home matches this week, with Worthington in Luverne on Tuesday, Sept. 14, and Pipestone in town on Thursday, Sept. 16.
The Cardinals will travel to St. James on Tuesday, Sept. 21
BEA 4, Luverne 3
BEA picked up three wins in singles competition and took one doubles match to hand LHS their second loss of the season.
Luverne received a win in straight sets at No. 4 singles where Roselynn Hartshorn defeated Carol Schrader 6-2, 6-2.
Hope Thorson and Katharine Kelm nailed down a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Allie Lopez and Ella Survis at No. 2 doubles, and Tori Hemme and Priscilla Muehr beat Kariss Lopez and Lauren Survis 2-6, 6-4, 12-10 at third doubles.
Mia Wenzel at No. 1 singles, Olivia Wieneke at No. 2 singles, and Jacey Smith, No. 3 singles, all lost their matches in straight sets. Kristin Rud and Sarah Stegenga were also defeated in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1 doubles.
“The matches were closer than the scores might indicate last week” said Luverne coach Jon Beers.
“I was really happy with how all the girls played in the BEA match. They (BEA) have been a powerhouse the past few years, but we were able to get three match wins and make the match very interesting.”
Marshall 5, Luverne 2
In the Marshall match, the only wins for Luverne came at No. 1 singles and doubles.
Wenzel was able to win in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 over Eden Knutson in a very exciting match. The No. 1 doubles team of Wieneke and Rud defeated Lean Schaefer and Regan Loft 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (13-11) in the match of the day.
At No. 2 and No. 3 singles, Smith and Stegenga, both lost by identical scores, 6-0, 6-1. Hartshorn lost at No. 4 singles 3-6, 6-4, 10-8. Thorson and Kelm, playing together at No. 2 doubles, lost 7-6, 6-1, and Hemme and Muehr at No. 3 doubles lost 6-4, 6-0.
“In the Marshall match we played some girls in different spots,” said coach Beers.
“We are trying to find our best combination of singles and doubles players so that we can field our best team when the Section tournament starts.”