Sep. 17—NEW LONDON — The Litchfield girls tennis team handled business on the court effectively on Thursday afternoon.
On the road for a Wright County Conference match against New London-Spicer, the Dragons — ranked third in Class A — did not lose a set in a 7-0 sweep.
In singles play, Litchfield lost just 12 games over four matches. Ryanna Steinhaus, the third-ranked Class A player in the state, won 6-0, 6-2 against the Wildcats’ Mya Mayhew. Kylie Michels and Isla Dille each won 6-1, 6-0 at Nos. 2 and 4, and Karlee Prahl clinched No. 3 with a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The tightest match of the afternoon came at No. 2 doubles, where the Dragons’ Taylor Draeger and Olivia Olson fought off a potential comeback attempt by Kamryn Quenemoen and Sadie Hatlestad for a 6-3, 7-6 (1) win.
“Litchfield was the superior team,” said NLS head coach Chad Schmiesing. “I was very impressed with their athleticism and ball striking under tough windy conditions today.
“(I’m) proud of our team with the attitudes and efforts that they brought to their matches. We will continue striving to improve daily and hope that we get another chance at them.”
Litchfield is host to a quadrangular at 9 a.m. Saturday. Teams competing include Minnewaska, Foley and Jordan.
NLS next competes at 4:30 p.m. Monday with a home meet against Minnewaska.
Litchfield 7, NLS 0
Singles
(1) Ryanna Steinhaus, L, def Mya Mayhew 6-0, 6-2 … (2) Kylie Michels, L, def Brooke Adelman 6-1, 6-0 … (3) Karlee Prahl, L, def Avery Dierenfeld 6-4, 6-4 … (4) Isla Dille, L, def Emily Ruter 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
(1) Britney Prahl/Lauren Erickson, L, def Izzy Schmiesing/Delaney Hanson 6-3, 6-2 … (2) Taylor Draeger/Olivia Olson, L, def Kamryn Quenemoen/Sadie Hatlestad 6-3, 7-6 (1) … (3) Kaitlyn Palmer/Sophie Stilwell, L, def Jordan Proehl/Eva Schueler 6-1, 6-2
Brainerd 5, Willmar 0
Before inclement weather brought the Central Lakes Conference match to an early end, Brainerd locked up the win over Willmar at Willmar High School.
The Warriors’ Ella Chaussee beat the Cardinals’ Allison Bruhn 6-4, 6-4 to take No. 1 singles. In doubles, Avery Anakkala and Claire Erdal beat Emmi Larson and Katelyn Garberding 6-1, 6-4.
At No. 4 singles, Willmar’s Adali Laidlaw won the first set 6-4, then lost the second set 6-4 and trailed 1-0 in the third before the match was called off. Caroline Becker dropped the first set of her No 3 singles match 7-6 (3) and was tied 4-4 before rain and lightning ended things.
Willmar is headed Saturday to a quadrangular at Big Lake. Alexandria and Roseau also are competing. First matches are at 9 a.m.
Singles
(1) Ella Chaussee, B, def Allison Bruhn 6-4, 6-4 … (2) Taylor Ruhl, B, def Kessa Mara 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
(1) Brynne Folden/Lila Collins, B, def Alise Staebell/Ashlie Staebell 6-3, 6-1 … (2) Lindsy Busch/Ericah Folden, B, def Kylee Berget/Lizzie Eide 6-1, 6-1 … (3) Avery Anakkala/Claire Erdal, B, def Emmi Larson/Katelyn Garberding 6-1, 6-4
Morris/CA 7, YME 0
Morris/Chokio-Alberta cruised to the victory over Yellow Medicine East in a West Central Conference match at Morris.
YME next plays at 4:30 p.m. Monday at MACCRAY.
Melrose 6, MACCRAY 1
Alex Dirksen got the lone win for MACCRAY in a West Central Conference match against Melrose at Clara City.
Playing at No. 4 singles, Dirksen got the victory against Katrina Deters, 6-2, 6-2.
The Wolverines are host to Benson/KMS at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Singles
(1) Alexis Bauman, Mel, def Tayte Nokleby 6-3, 7-5 … (2) Emily Rieland, Mel, def Hannah Delong 6-4, 6-3 … (3) Reagan Muller, Mel, def Malinda Peterson 6-4, 6-3 … (4) Alex Dirksen, MAC, def Katrina Deters 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
(1) Jasmine Golla/Jamie Klasen, Mel, def Erika Pieper/Greta Meyer 6-2, 6-0 … (2) Madison Baysinger/Jessica Pohlman, Mel, def MaKenna Burnette/Anna Janssen 6-0, 6-2 … (3) Ava Thelen/Macey Davis, Mel, def Rachel Seehusen/Mia Shubert 6-0, 6-0