Doubles matches have been a strong point for the Superior High School girls tennis team recently. On Monday, the Spartans took on the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers and won 4-3, claiming all three doubles matches.
"This was a huge win for us; this is our first time beating Marshall since I have been coaching girls tennis," said SHS head coach Pete Conley. "This was some of the best tennis I have seen our doubles teams play in years."
Rikki Berchild and Carly Connor needed a tiebreaker to take the first set at No. 1 doubles, but the duo came away with the 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 victory. At No. 2 doubles, Amanda Peterson and Chelsea Breimon easily dispatched their opponents, as did Christine Johnstad and Sarah Nikstad and in the No. 3 spot.
"Our doubles teams are playing with much more confidence," Conley said. "They are getting used to each other on the court and playing with much more intensity."
Picking up the remaining point for Superior was Jillisa Gallindo in No. 4 singles.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We finally came together as a team in this match. All of our players were supporting the players on the court," Conley said. "This was a big win, but we must remember that we still have work to do."
The Spartans are next in action Thursday at home against Duluth Central beginning at 4 p.m.
Singles
1. Charlotte Skinner (M) def. Natalie Burger 6-1, 6-0.
2. Erina Quinn (M) def. Raya Kosey 6-1, 6-0.
3. Maddy Carpenter (M) def. Sara Balcer 6-4, 6-0.
4. Jillisa Gallindo (S) def. Kassie Serre 6-2, 6-4.
Doubles
ADVERTISEMENT
1. Rikki Berchild/Carly Connor (S) def. Ana Gabres/Emma Stauber 7-6(8-6), 6-4.
2. Amanda Peterson/Chelsea Breimon (S) def. Liz Busche/Laura Schoesson 6-1, 6-3.
3. Christine Johnstad/Sarah Nikstad (S) def. Clara Espe/Cami McKee 6-4, 6-0.
Girls swimming
The Superior High School girls swimming and diving team finished second at its own Spartan Relays Saturday at the SHS Natatorium.
Duluth East won the team title with 80 points, followed by Superior, 60; and Proctor-Hermantown, 50.
Superior won three relay races: the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle.
Swimming on the medley team were Tori Johnson, Anna Anklam, Karen VanOvermerien and Kelsey Hansen.
ADVERTISEMENT
Emily Aller joined Hansen, Johnson and VanOvermerien on the 200 and 400 teams.
Superior is back in action at the Chippewa Falls Invitational at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Superior Spartan Relays
Saturday, Sept. 12 at the SHS Natatorium
Team Results
Duluth East 80, Superior 60, Proctor-Hermantown 50, Duluth Denfeld-Central 47, Two Harbors 26, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 22, Rice Lake 19.
Individual Results
200 medley -- 1. Superior (Tori Johnson, Anna Anklam, Karen VanOvermeiren, Kelsey Hansen), 2:01.23; 2. Duluth East, 2:01.47; 3. Proctor-Hermantown, 2:06.24.
ADVERTISEMENT
600 freestyle -- 1. Duluth East (Elizabeth Reed, Annie Harvieux, Lisa Reed), 6:36.52; 2. Denfeld-Central, 6:53.01; 3. Proctor-Hermantown, 7:11.66.
300 individual medley -- 1. Duluth East (Abby Ham, Ashley Laliberte, Michelle Vargason), 3:34.83; 2. Superior, 3:42.01; 3. Rice Lake, 3:43.33.
200 freestyle -- 1. Superior (Hansen, Johnson, Emily Aller, VanOvermeieren), 1:47.46; 2. Duluth East, 1:53.71; 3. Denfeld-Central, 1:53.80.
diving -- 1. Duluth East (Kara Werner, Mary Dwyer, Sydoney Blackmore), 423.90 (meet record); 2. Two Harbors, 401.65; 3. Superior, 365.90.
200 butterfly -- 1. Proctor-Hermantown (Michelle Bendas, Angela Donoafrio, Maria Mellin, Nora Stauber), 2:03.19; 2. Duluth East, 2:04.28; 3. Superior, 2:11.94.
900 freestyle -- 1. Duluth East (Alyssa Gatlin, Emily Matuseski, Laliberte, E. Reed), 10:14.01; 2. Denfeld-Central, 10:26.06; 3. Proctor-Hermantown, 11:07.41.
300 backstroke -- 1. Proctor-Hermantown (Donoafrio, Stauber, Mellin), 3:21.23; 2. Duluth East, 3:29.24; 3. Rice Lake, 3:53.02.
300 breaststroke -- 1. Duluth East (Valerie Madden, Rachel Alworth, Emily Punkyo), 3:53.55; 2. Superior, 4:05.19; 3. Proctor-Hermantown, 4:06.55.
ADVERTISEMENT
400 freestyle -- 1. Superior (Hansen, Johnson, Emily Aller, VanOvermeieren), 4:00.32; 2. Duluth East, 4:01.83; 3. Denfeld-Central, 4:13.02.
