Reagan Johnson / Winonan
The Winona State University tennis team competed in a pair of matches this weekend, falling to Minnesota State University Moorhead and the University of Mary 7-2.
Sophomore Justine Daane had a victory over Moorhead’s Jessamy Jones in No. 1 singles. Daane won the first game of the match 7-5. Jones came back to win 1-6 in the second set, but Daane came out with the win in the tiebreaker 11-9.
Sophomore Lauren Willkom also won her match against Moorhead’s Jamie Freden. Willkom lost the first game of the match 5-7 and came back with a win in the second game 6-1. She finished off the match with a tiebreaker win 14-12.
“I was really happy and proud of myself for being able to come back and win my match against Moorhead. I felt that this was my best singles match this season,” Willkom said. “I would say that my strengths during that match were my patience, consistency and serves”.
Sophomore Rachel Gantz lost at the No. 2 singles, coming up short 7-6, 5-7 and 16-14. Gantz and Daane had another narrow loss at No. 1 doubles, 9-8.
On Sunday, the Warriors fell to the Marauders with a final score of 7-2.
Junior Katie Scruggs won her match at No. 5 singles defeating U-Mary’s Eileen Long, 6-2, 0-6. 10-4.
Gantz and Willkom lost their No. 2 and No. 6 matches in tiebreakers. Gantz fell 6-4, 0-6, 10-2 while Willkom fell 6-0, 1-6, 10-4.
Gantz and Daane had success at No. 1 doubles winning their match 8-3. Scruggs and first-year Hattie Scott fell in their No. 2 doubles match 8-4 while first-year Keara Thiele and Melissa Boehmke lost their No. 3 doubles match 8-6.
“This weekend I felt that the team as a whole played very competitive matches. It was the weekend for tiebreakers, that’s for sure,” Willkom said.
Winona State will compete in two nonconference matches next weekend. On Friday, the Warriors will host Luther College and on Saturday St. Norbert College.
Willkom said she is confident about the Luther matchup and the competition it holds.
“Hopefully we can show what we have been working on all season,” Willkom said. “My goals for the remainder of the season are to continue my work ethics in practice and play to the best of my ability. In addition, continuing to grow my game strategies.”
