By Jake Schroer
Crow River News Sports
Lady Knights tennis currently sports a record of 5-3 to start the season.
Last week, STMA split decisions against North Branch and defending Mississippi 8 champion Princeton, who went to the state tournament last year.
The Knights defeated North Branch by a total score of 6-1 on Tuesday. Singles wins came from Alli Hinz (6-1, 6-0), Emma Thole (6-3, 6-4), and Brooke Beck (6-2, 6-3).
STMA also got three wins from doubles teams. Rachel Jenkins and Brianna Woitalla defeated their opponent 6-1, 6-1. Amanda Anderson and Abbey Keister (6-3, 6-4) and the team of Ruthie Schutz and Meadow LaDuke (6-1, 7-5) followed suit.
The Knights suffered a tough loss against the defending conference champion Princeton Tigers, who won Thursday’s meet 6-1.
STMA had a number of close matches, though they ended in defeat. Schutz and LaDuke kept the Knights from being swept with a win (6-2, 2-6, 6-3).
Head coach Ryan Antony said that the leadership on this tennis team excites him for the season.
“The tone that our captains, Cory Eull, Rachel Jenkins and Brianna Woitalla set at every practice and match runs through the rest of the team,” Antony said.