Crookston Pirate Girls Tennis beats kicks off 2026 campaign at Park Rapids/Roseau Invite

The Crookston Pirate Girls Tennis team are back on the courts in 2026, and they are getting things started at the Park Rapids/Roseau Invite, where they are taking on Mound-Westonka, Aitkin and Becker in Park Rapids on Friday.

CROOKSTON VS MOUND-WESTONKA –
Lauren Tull got the nod at first singles for the Pirates, and she was locked in the closest match of the morning against Maddie Schley of M-W. Tull was able to persevere, winning in straight sets by 7-6 scores, winning the first set tiebreaker 8-6 and the second set tiebreaker 7-3. M-W was able to pull ahead in the final three singles matches, winning them all in straight sets. Catelyn Maruska was the closest for the Pirates in fourth singles, falling 6-3, 6-4.
In doubles, Crookston’s first and second doubles pairs were involved in close matches themselves. Nora and Bridget Groven lost a tight match 7-5, 6-3, while Katie Seaver and Tegan Fanfulik nearly forced a third set, but dropped the match 6-4, 7-6. The highlight in doubles cam in third doubles; Ella Capistran and Kaylen Bedard cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 win, giving Capistran her first career varsity win.
New Pirate head coach Brielle Ellison was proud of the girls in this match, especially after the extreme roster turnover from last year. “Overall I think everyone played really well” said Ellison. “We graduated out ten seniors last year so it’s a completely new roster this season. Everyone worked hard for the first week of practice and it showed on the court.”

CROOKSTON VS AITKIN –

CROOKSTON VS BECKER-