By John George
One of the Yellow Jackets oldest players, and one of their youngest players have emerged as the tennis team's most consistent players in the early part of the season. Both held their own last week in a pair of tough dual matches and at the Brainerd Tournament.
The week started for Perham on the road at Parkers Prairie last Thursday. The Panthers defended their home court wih a close 4-3 win.
Perham split the singles matches with senior Emily Lindberg winning at No. 3 singles, and eighth grader Hannah Brenk winning at No. 4. Both won in straight sets.
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On the doubles side, the Jackets won just one of three matches, with the No. 3 duo of Megan Shipman and Suzanne Coleman winning in straight sets.
Brainerd Invite
On Saturday at the Moose Invitational in Brainerd, Lindberg led the Jackets once again, taking second at No. 3 singles. Brenk also played well in Brainerd, taking third at the No. 4 singles spot.
As a team, Perham finished with nine points to finished fourth out of five teams. Brainerd won five of the seven brackets to take first with 24 points. Roseau was second with 18.
Home loss to Panthers
Lindberg continued her hot play Monday as the Jackets hosted Park Rapids. She won, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 3 singles, but Perham lost the match, 5-2.
Becca Huebsch earned Perham's other victory at No. 2 singles. After losing her first set, the junior won the second, 6-2, then took the third set tiebreaker, 7-4.
Brenk nearly pulled off a comeback of her own at No. 4 singles. After dropping her first set, Brenk won the second, 7-5, then lost the third set tiebreaker, 8-6.
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Mid-State on deck
The Lady Jackets will step out of the Mid-State conference to travel to Osakis today (Sept. 11). The Silverstreaks have won two-straight Prairie Conference titles. Perham won last year's contest, 4-3.
On Sept. 13, the Yellow Jackets will head to Park Rapids for the Mid-State Conference Tournament. Perham finished sixth out of seven teams at last year's tournament.
Emily Lindberg finished sixth at No. 4 singles. She is the only returning singles player from last year who won a match at Mid-State. Becca Huebsch, Danielle Brenk and Megan Shipman all played singles last year, but went 0-2.
Whitney Delaney teamed up with 2008 senior Maria Lindberg to take third at No. 3 doubles.
Staples-Motley had a perfect score of 42 last year, taking first in all seven brackets (four singles, three doubles) as they defended their Mid-State title.
