Girls Tennis: Warriors advance to ward spaces with a sweep

This is what Brainerd Warriors head coach Lisa Salo was looking for in his team in the opening round of the Section 7-2A tournament on Tuesday, October 5th.

He got what he wanted when fourth-placed Warriors won a 7-0 victory over 13th-placed St.

We really look at it as our next match, Salo said. We know the playoff time, but we’re going to take this one step at a time and move on through us. We had a huge Regular Series before tournament time, so we can use it and know our strengths and play our game.

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Catherine Moraghan did a quick job for her opponent 6-2, 6-0 in Brainerd No. 3. She lost the first two games in the first set until she won 12 wins as straight wins in straight series.

When the aftermath comes, I always try to limit my concentration, Moraghan said. Focus only on the ultimate goal of playing cleanly and getting the job done. I started slowly today, but then I just tried to lift my footwork and be aggressive and only commit to shots and swing freely.

Taylor Ruhl also won the singles doubles 6-1, 6-0.

I just focused on not making so many mistakes online, Ruhl said. I used more of the top lap to throw the ball over the net. I also tried to go online more because I can win points more easily there.

Ruhl said the team is not trying to treat the playoffs differently from a regular match.

We are trying to reduce non-compelling errors and get more first services, he said.

Brainerds No. 1 double team Brynne Folden-Lila Collins continued their strong play in the playoffs with a 6-1, 6-0 win.

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We look at teamwork and that’s what we want, Salo said. Everyone’s efforts affect and everyone affects the team’s results. Catherine Moraghan played a pretty clean match, as did the first doubles and the second singles with Taylor. We are just looking for clean, effective matches.

Lindsy Busch and Ericah Folden played the only three-round match and won 6-1, 4-6, 6-0.

Ella Chaussee in the No. 1 series defeated the Warriors 6-2, 6-4 and gave Brainerd the fourth victory of the day.

Lacy Busch finished Brainerd’s singles victory 7-5, 6-2.

The lineup of our singles is great, Moraghan said. We are just trying to push each other and only improve each other in practice, and I think the results are visible.

No. 3 double team Avery Anakkala and Claire Erdal won 6-4, 6-3.

Brainerd will host the semi-finals on Thursday No. 5 against Hibbing.

We’re used to one-day practice and then we compete, Salo said. We prepare for the next match and we know that it will be a stronger match and we are ready. We are fine-tuning. We will not add a new element to the game. We’re just going to fine-tune and prepare more mentally. Girls practice hard, they do a good job of working hard when we do exercises.

Brainerd 7, St.Francis 0

Singles

No. 1: Ella Chaussee (Brd) defeated Lindsey Salmees 6-2, 6-4

No. 2: Taylor Ruhl (Brd) defeated Cally Peterson 6-1, 6-0

No. 3: Catherine Moraghan (Brd) defeated Grace Jauermg 6-2, 6-0

No. 4: Lacy Busch (Brd) defeated Macy Hass 7-5, 6-2

Doubles

No. 1: Brynne Folden-Lila Collins (Brd) beat Madison Rombauer-Alexa Skogqust 6-1, 6-0

No. 2: Lindsy Busch-Ericah Folden (Brd) beat Edosa Ogbemuda-Josie Lupinek 6-1, 4-6, 6-0

No. 3: Avery Anakkala-Claire Erdal (Brd) beat Kaylee Hemmegan-Mya Branthen 6-4, 6-3

Key: The Warriors work fast on behalf of Francis in the opening round of the Section 7-2A tournament.

Overall: Brd 16-1.

Next: Brainerd will host Hibbing at 4pm on Thursday, Oct. 7.