GUNDERSON AND SMITH GO ONE AND ONE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE STATE INDIVIDUAL GIRL’S TENNIS DOUBLES TOURNEY

A pair of Crookston Pirate senior Girl’s Tennis players, Emma Gunderson and Isabelle Smith are competing in the Minnesota State Class A Individual Girl’s Tennis Tournament, doubles division that started today at the Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis. The two who just completed the team portion of the state tournament on Tuesday and Wednesday, had two matches today.
In their first round match this morning the Pirate duo lost to the number three seeded pair from Rochester Lourdes, Elyse Palen and Caroline Daly in dominating fashion 6-1, 6-0!! “The Lourdes pair was tough,” said Crookston head coach Gina Gunderson and mother of Emma, “Our girl’s had quite a few deuce games so they were happy with that.”
The Crookston pair then took on Elise Duncan and Elle Kletscher of Benson, who lost their first round match to a pair from Providence Academy 6-2, 6-1 this morning. Gunderson and Smith were in a win or go home match and won a tight 7-6 first set with a 7-4 tie-breaker and then won the match with a 6-3 set. “Emma and Isa play well together and are good at strategizing and motivating each other, ” said Coach Gunderson. “Like every match, we tell them to have fun, play hard and be confident and aggressive. It was definitely thrilling first set to win  and a tough tie-breaker.” The win moves the Pirate duo into the consolation semi-final tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM against a pair from Pine City, Lexa Valvoda and Alana Linnell. If Crookston would win that match they would play for the State Class A doubles consolation championship. If they lose, they would be done!!! “We are going to get a bite to eat, head back to the hotel for an early bedtime,” said coach Gunderson, who also added, “Emma won her 99th match today and we sure hope we can add one more to her career record!!”