Majettes blank Lions

Minot High tops Bishop Ryan 5-0 at Hammond Park

By LARRY McFALL, Staff Writer sports@minotdailynews.com
The Minot High School Majettes tennis team used quick straight-set victories by their Nos. 1 and 2 singles players to set the tone for its 5-0 victory over the Bishop Ryan Lions Tuesday at the Hammond Park.

Minot High’s No. 1 singles player Brianna Thomas played almost flawless tennis as she defeated Ryan’s Sarah Massey 6-0, 6-0 and Laura Pearson lost only one game en-route to a 6-1, 6-0 win over Jordan Halseth at No. 2.

The teams played the dual under a three-two format that will be used at the regional and state tournaments, instead of six-three that is played during most of the season for duals. Instead of all players playing a singles match followed by a doubles tilt, the three-two makes you play either singles or doubles, but not both.

“We are happy to come out with the win today,” said Minot High head coach Jerry Lyon. “The Ryan team has made tremendous progress during the season, and this match score was not a reflection of how close this match was.”

Lyon was refering to both of the doubles matches and the No. 3 singles match. Ryan’s Anna Jastrzembski and MHS’s Erin Black had a huge battle at the No. 3 singles match. The match turned into the battle of the ground strokes numerous times, as both players matched wits throughout. Black ended up winning 7-5, 7-5, but Jastrzembski didn’t give up without a fight. It was one of the closest matches of the day played in front of one of the largest crowds of the season.

The Minot Recreation Commission and their tennis teaching pro Jeff Coggins held their tennis block party immediatley after the conclusion of the dual, which made the court area a very busy place before the dual was complete.

Both doubles matches were hotly contested as well. The No. 1 Majettes’ team of Madison Erickson and Julie Olson edged out Amanda Burckhard and Katie Rubbelke 7-5, 6-3, and the No. 2 team of Shantel Montgomery and Lindsay Eckmann had to go three sets to shut down Ryan’s Anzley Harmon and Kristin Rubbelke by a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 count.

“Those three close matches could have went either way again, but I am real pleased at the effort by the girls the last couple days,” said Bishop Ryan head coach Andrew Evanoff.

The Lions knocked off the Bismarck St. Mary’s Saints Monday to qualify for the west region tournament after a one year absence, and had a strong showing in defeat against the Majettes as both teams prepare for regional, which begins Thursday.

“We tried two new doubles combinations today that we have never tried before,” Evanoff said. “The Rubbelkes have been so good together for so long — but we decided to switch it up today and see what other line up options are open to use going into the tournament.”

“This is probably the best tennis that the girls have played this year,” Lyon said. “This was our tune up for the regional tourney — and outside of probably Bismarck Century, any one of the teams in the competition have a chance to make it to the state tournament— which still remains our No. 1 goal for the season.”

The Majettes will take on Bismarck High in their first round team dual, while the Lions will have to face the No.1 ranked Bismarck Century squad. Action begins at various courts around the city on Thursday, with the Hammond Park courts being the tournament headquarters. The individual competition will begin around noon on Friday after the team play has been concluded.