Edin cruises into state tournament, team second at section

Izabella Edin didn’t drop a game until the final set in the section singles tournament, where she beat Julia Smith of Park Rapids 6-0, 6-2, to earn a spot in the state tennis tournament.

The Staples-Motley team fell one match short of advancing to state as a team, with a 4-3 loss to Roseau in the section finals.

The individual state tournament begins Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center in Minneapolis. Edin is undefeated this season and has been ranked second in the state behind Libby Rickeman of Blake.

In section doubles play, both Cardinal teams lost in the second round to teams that made it to state. Lexi Johnson and Claire Wolhowe won their first match but lost a three set match in the second round to a team from Roseau who went on to place second. 

Katie Benson and Kelsie Weite also won their first match, but lost to the eventual champions in the second round.

Ashley Smith was the other singles player for Staples-Motley. She won in the first round but lost to Josie Beachy of Perham in the second round.

Team results

Section 8A tournament

Quarterfinals: Staples-Motley 7, Wadena-Deer Creek 0

Singles: Izabella Edin W 6-0, 6-0; Ashley Smith W 3-6, 6-1, (10-6); Kelsi Peterson W 6-1, 6-0; Sam Schimpp W ff

Doubles: Lexi Johnson/Claire Wolhowe W 6-2 (match decided); Katie Benson/Kelsie Weite W 6-3, 6-1; Anna Willgohs/Bryn Williams W 6-0, 6-0

Semifinals: Staples-Motley 6, Crookston 1

Singles: Edin W 6-0, 6-0; Smith L 3-6, 0-6; Peterson W 6-0, 6-1; Schimpp W 6-1, 6-0

Doubles: Johnson/Wolhowe W 7-5, 6-2; Benson/Weite W 7-6 (7-2), 6-3; Williams/Willgohs W 6-2, 3-6, 7-5

Finals: Staples-Motley 3, Roseau 4

Singles: Edin W 6-2, 6-1; Smith L 0-6, 0-6; Peterson W 6-2, 6-4; Schimpp L 3-6, 3-6

Doubles: Johnson/Wolhowe L 1-6, 6-1, 3-6; Benson/Weite W 6-3, 6-1; Willgohs/Williams L 1-6, 3-6