Tennis team starts season with confidence

The Staples-Motley girls tennis team talks a lot about confidence; like in the strokes they hit and in their teammates. It’s paying off early as the team started the season 4-0, with wins over Little Falls, Osakis, Morris and Yellow Medicine East.

One reason for the confidence is “Izabella is back,” said one of the  team captains Lexi Johnson. Izabella Edin placed third in state two years ago but didn’t play high school tennis last year. 

Edin is a tri-captain, along with Ashley Smith and Johnson. Edin talks about the team having confidence in hitting the ball. “The team is ready to play, we have seven seniors and a lot of experience,” said Edin. “We’ve done footwork drills and a lot of conditioning.” She said some of the Staples-Motley players came to play at the tennis club she plays at in St. Cloud.

Johnson said the team’s goal is to get back to state after coming close last season.

The captains said there’s a big focus on the team’s lineup early in the season. “Spots are open, we have a lot of people who are able to be in any spot.”

The team has had some competitive challenging matches for positions, but Edin said the team is using teamwork to gel together.

Johnson agreed, “We had a bond that was instant, we melded together right away.”

Coach Kayla Janson said the team is very strong with both singles and doubles players. “We have a nice mix,” she said.

Janson also noticed the camaraderie, saying that the players are already planning team dinners.

Assistant coach Katie Edin said she has noticed a lot of positive feedback on the court. “They are always telling each other ‘nice shot,’” she said.

Team results

Aug. 18: 

S-M 4, Little Falls 0 (others rained out)

Singles: Sam Schimpp W 6-1, 6-1

Doubles: L. Johnson/Claire Wolhowe W 6-3, 6-1; Katie Benson/Kelsie Weite W 6-0, 6-0; Bryn Williams/Anna Wilgohs W 6-2, 6-1

Aug. 22: 

S-M 4, Osakis 3

Singles: I. Edin W 6-2, 6-0; A. Smith L 2-6, 0-6; Kelsi Peterson W 6-2, 6-2; S. Schimpp L 6-4, 0-6, (5-10)

Doubles: L. Johnson/C. Wolhowe W 6-3, 6-2; K. Benson/K. Weite W 3-6, 6-3, (10-8); B. Williams/Anna Wilgohs L 4-6, 1-6

S-M 6, Morris 1

Singles: Edin W 6-0, 6-0; Smith L 6-4, 2-6, (8-10); Peterson W 6-0, 6-4; Schimpp W 6-2, 6-0

Doubles: Johnson/Wolhowe W 6-2, 6-2; Benson/Weite W 6-1, 6-0; Williams/Wilgohs W 6-0, 6-0

S-M 7, Yellow Medicine East 0

Singles: Edin W 6-1, 6-1; Smith W 6-2, 6-3; Peterson W 6-1, 6-1; Schimpp W 6-7 (5-7), 5-4 (ff)

Doubles: Johnson/Wolhowe W 6-1, 6-2; Benson/Weite W 6-1, 6-1; Williams/Haley Dietman W 6-0, 6-0