3rd place medals Staples Motley senior Skye Coughlin, left and junior Emma Koskiniemi, right, claimed third place doubles honors with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over the St. James team of senior Darci Johnson and sophomore Julia Runge. The third ranked Cardinals struggled to put their best play in gear in the first round of state tourn ament action hoping to ove rcome the perennial s t rength in Rochester Lourdes.

In their fifth straight tournament appearance, the Cards were confident and seemingly prepared to take on an Eagle team from a program that has won eleven of the last twelve state championships.

"We knew we matched up well and felt that we have been playing excellent tennis," said Coach Kevin Coughlin. "But I also knew from past experience how much Lourdes can improve within a season with their coaching, facilities and tradition- despite graduating some great players last year," he added.

In a key match that everyone at the tournament predicted going either way, scores apparently indicated a convincing victory for the defending champions 6-1, despite a hard fought battle by the Cards. "I'm still not certain whether we folded under our own pressure to grasp an apparent opportunity to knock off the champs or just tried too hard, but I do know that Lourdes came out to play- perhaps as an underdog loose and determined to carry the torch of the past," Coughlin said. Senior doubles duo Kelly Hagenson and Annie Gillespie earned the only point for the Cards at three doubles through solid fundamental execution.

Below: Emma, left and Skye playing in state competition. (Photos by Don Sanda) The loss sent the Cards to the consolation bracket resulting in a character check later in the day against a scrappy Benson team. The singles line up provided solid wins along with a see-saw victory at one doubles (Emma Koskiniemi and Caitlin Robinson) giving the Cards a 5-2 edge and a trip to the consolation championship the next day. "This was an impressive win in not only showing character from coming back from an earlier heartbreak, but the girls made a statement with their level of play that said something about their greatness," the coach said.

The consolation championship pitted the Cards against another public school powerhouse in St. James who had defeated the Cards last year for third place honors. With confidence flowing and a renewed focus looming, the Cards were set to avenge their friendly rivalry, but more importantly, to end their season with a win by playing their best tennis against a strong opponent.

St. James narrowly fell into the consolation bracket with a 3-4 loss to the eventual champions, Mounds Park Academy in the first round. Again sweeping the singles with dominating play along with another first doubles victory gave the Cards a 5-2 triumph for the consolation championship.

Both of the second and

third doubles went down

in tight three set matches. "I can't express how impressed

I was with our level of play as the tournament went on. There are no if's and but's to any of this. It is what it is- and it was fun and most impressive how we ended the season and careers for seven seniors," Coach Coughlin said, adding that Abby Edin has been playing singles in the program for six years along with Skye Coughlin's five years of varsity play. Both of them have made major contributions to the Cardinal programs success and five straight tournament trips. Ashley Lisson has played in four tournaments, Caitlin Robinson- three, Savanna Hill- two and the dynamic duo of Kelly Hagenson and Annie Gillespie

Consolation champions The Staples Motley High School Girl's Tennis team won the consolation championship at state competition. They defeated St. James 5-2 for the fifth place trophy. The Cardinals won each of their singles matches and their number one doubles match in straight sets. Front row, left to right: Emma Koskiniemi, Hallie Olsen, Mikayla Wing. Second row: Andrea Koskinimi, Maggie O'Keefe, Brooke Wolhowe, Annie Kautto. Back row: Ashley Lisson, Annie Gillespie, Caitlin Robinson, Abby Edin, Skye Coughlin, Kelly Hagenson, Savanna Hill. (Photo by Don Sanda) experienced all of their

one journey as seniors. "For all of our players and

especially these seniorswe

have been reflecting on more than just this season, but their entire careers in the program that they have built. They have all done some extraordinary things and met many extraordinary challenges as studentathletes as well as people. It's been a blessing going out on our own terms with a victory all the way to the end. I am genuinely grateful as a coach and father to have had the opportunity to make this extraordinary journey with these magnifi- cent young women," Coach Coughlin said.

Doubles finish in

triumph

Skye Coughlin and Emma Koskiniemi qualifi ed for their third straight doubles state tournament determined to make it to the second day. Two previous years had the pair getting knocked out in the second round - resulting in being done when you don't do. With their eyes on the prize of making it into the championship side of the bubble at the Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center, the dynamic duo played textbook doubles in their first two rounds downing a formidable one doubles team from St. James and a balanced combo from Maple River.

"Skye and Emma had to use all of their tools and experience to adjust to every style of play in the book," Coach Coughlin said. "It was quite impressive how we maintained our aggressive approach, but with disciplined patience when necessary."

The wins gave the tandem a birth into the semifinals and another date with last years champions Amber Washington and Kate Roach- who downed the Cards in round two the previous year. In the semifi nal, the Cards appeared to have tried too hard and lost the simple focus as well as the set in ten minutes 0-6. The second set found the Cardinals zoomed in on carving and turning the ball with precision in a dog fight at the net.

"Our aggression tilted the match in our favor, but we struggled to maintain the advantage when it was critical against great players." In a close battle the eventual champs downed the Cards 6-3. Skye and Emma went on to finish the season with a win in the third place match with a dominating win over St. James 6-1, 6-2.

Abby Edin returned to the state singles tournament for the fourth year in a row coming off a thrilling second place finish last year. With a strong first round win over Elena Almici-an Italian exchange student playing for Sibley East 6-1, 6-3, Abby met her match in another international student from Germany playing for Austin Pacelli. Lisa Johnen proved to be the real deal in a hard hitting battle of depth, angles and consistency, downing Edin 1-6, 1-6.

"Abby's game hasn't been up to the level of last year, but it has been jelling

throughout this tournament,"

the coach said. "Johnen's game was on and

it got the best of Abby. I know Abby has felt a good deal of pressure in living up to last year, but there is no shame in going out in a good fight against a great player. Abby has had a tremendous career."

Results:

Quarterfinal 2 - October 27

Rochester Lourdes 6, SM 1

Singles: 1. Courtney Rust, RL, def. Abby Edin, SM, 6-4, 6-3. 2. Margaret Pearson, RL, def. Skye Coughlin, SM, 6-2, 6-0. 3. Brittany Alexander, RL, def. Andrea Koskiniemi, SM, 6-2, 6-2. 4. Sofia Terzic, RL, def. Mikayla Wing, SM, 6-2, 6-2.

Doubles: 1. Kristen Brandhagen and Veronica Grande, RL, def. Caitlin Robinson and Emma Koskiniemi, SM, 6-0, 6-2. 2. Megan Jans and Annie Wente, RL, def. Ashley Lisson and Savanna Hill, SM, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5. 3. Kelly Hagenson and Annie Gillespie, SM, def. Lucy Hansen and Rachel Morice, RL, 6-1, 6-3.

SM 5, Benson/KMS 2

Singles:1. Abby Edin, SM, def. Abby Fragodt, B, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). 2. Skye Coughlin, SM, def. Catherine James, B, 6-0, 7-5. 3. Andrea Koskiniemi, SM, def. Lauren Alsaker, B, 6-4, 6-3. 4. Mikayla Wing, SM, def. Sara Rajewsky, B, 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles: 1. Caitlin Robinson and Emma Koskiniemi, SM, def. Chelsey Goff and Cassandra Johnson, B, 6-3, 7-5. 2. Ginger Breen and Hillary Wilts, B, def. Ashley Lisson and Savanna Hill, SM, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. 3. Datriana Jensen and Amber Wadsworth, B, def. Kelly Hagenson and Annie Gillespie, SM, 7-5, 6-3.

Consolation Championship - October 28

SM 5, St. James 2

Singles: 1. Abby Edin, SM def. Paige Olson, SJ, 6-1, 6-1. 2. Skye Coughlin, SM def. Aryn Eckstrom, SJ, 6-2, 6-4. 3. Andrea Koskiniemi, SM, def. Rachel Lahti, SJ, 6-2, 6-2. 4. Mikayla Wing, SM, def. McKenzie Gronewold, SJ, 6-3, 6-2.

Doubles: 1. Caitlin Robinson and Emma Koskiniemi, SM, def. Abby Frederickson and Karlee Sieve, SJ, 6-3, 6-2. 2. Darci Johnson, SJ, def. Ashley Lisson and Savanna Hill, SM, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. 3. Kat Barrett and Caitlin Olson, SJ, def. Kelly Hagenson and Annie Gillespie, SM, 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1