The Crookston Pirates Girls tennis team’s Hayden Winjum advanced to the semifinals in singles, while Catherine Tiedemann and Emma Borowicz combined for a pair of wins to advance to the semifinals in doubles in the Section 8A Individual Tournament played at Courts Plus in Fargo, North Dakota.
Hayden Winjum was impressive on Friday winning her first-round match over Rachel Herman of Park Rapids 6-4, 6-1. In the quarterfinals, Winjum beat Lauren Rutten of Staples-Motley 6-2, 6-2 clinching a berth in the semifinals on Saturday against 2-seed Grace Hinojos of Wadena-Deer-Creek. “I thought she played really well today,” said Crookston head coach Mike Geffre. “I think Hayden just won a lot of the big points. The girl from Staples she played is a very good player and it was a very long match, Hayden just kept winning some very tough points. She knew where to play the ball and played some really smart points. She played the same girl in the team (tournament) yesterday and she’s learned to recognize opponents and see what their strengths and weaknesses are and how to play to them.” Crookston’s top doubles team will join Winjum in the semifinals on Saturday after Catherine Tiedemann and Emma Borowicz won their two doubles matches on Friday. In the opening round, Tiedemann and Borowicz beat Kiersten Flaig and Ella Trangsrus of Roseau 6-1, 6-2. In the quarterfinals Crookston’s top doubles pairing defeater McKenna Aitchison and Delaney Aaker of East Grand Forks 4-6, 6-0, 6-2. “They straightened the ship and got the first set close, but it’s hard to come back when you’re down 4-0 in the first set,” said Geffre. “They really responded well and won the next set 6-0 and then 6-2. They made some adjustments in their game. They were playing a little bit nervous. They were playing cautiously. Playing not to lose, instead of playing to win. They have confidence in themselves and they trust their partner. It’s one of those where if one player is playing the other can pick them up.” Tiedemann and Borowicz will face the 3-seed pairing of Abby Morris and Kendra Coborn of Park Rapids on Saturday morning. Crookston’s other doubles pairing of Elysa Christensen and Eden Haller along with singles competitor Hannah Street both suffered first-round losses bringing their seasons to a close. “Hannah played a really good match,” said Geffre. “Her opponent was a really good player. It was sad to see Hannah lose that one, but I thought Hannah played really well. She’s had a really good career. Elysa and Eden played a really good match against the 4-seeds and Elysa had a really good postseason tournament, she closed her season out playing really well.”
Crookston’s semifinals will both start at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow at Courts Plus in Fargo with section championship matches and third places matches following at 11:30 a.m. If necessary, a true-second place match for a spot in the state tournament would take place at 2:00 p.m.
Hayden Winjum Catherine Tiedemann and Emma Borowicz
| Crookston | Opponent/Score | |
| For the Singles bracket, click here | ||
| Singles | Hayden Winjum | beat Rachel Herman-Park Rapids 6-4, 6-1 beat Lauren Rutten – Staples Motley 6-2, 6-2 Plays Grace Hinojos – WDC in semi-finals on Saturday |
| Hannah Street | Lost to Madison Picker-Perham 6-1, 6-2 (Eliminated) | |
| Doubles | For the Doubles bracket click here | |
| Catherine Tiedemann Emma Borowicz |
Beat Kiersten Flaig/Ella Trangsrus – Roseau 6-1, 6-2 Beat McKenne Aitchison/Delaney Aaker – EGF – 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 Will play Abby Morris/Kendra Coborn – Park Rapids in semi’s |
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| Elysa Christensen Eden Haller |
Lost to Abby Burquest-Megan Arnes – Park Rapids 6-4, 6-1 (Eliminated) |
Eden Haller and Elysa Christensen Hannah Street
