Tennis: Alex girls excited about growth after 13-win season

Chelby Runge 3-DSC_6216.JPG — Chelby Runge, a senior for Alexandria, serves the ball during her and Jalyn Halverson’s match at No. 1 doubles against Fergus Falls on Sept. 27, 2022. Runge was the team’s Cardinal Award winner at the end of the 2022 season.

The Alexandria girls tennis team had a winning season this past fall as it went 13-10. The team ended the regular season strong by winning the last three out of four matches of the season.

Alexandria had three All-Central Lakes Conference players this season, senior Rachel Wegner, along with juniors Marisa Rousu and Kylie Lattimer.

0-Marisa Rousu-DSC_2631.JPG — Alexandria junior Marisa Rousu shakes hands with Sartell’s Charlotte Lau after a hard-fought match on Sept. 6, 2022. Rousu won the match by winning a tiebreaker and helped Alexandria win 4-3. Rousu finished the 2022 season on the all-conference team.

Seniors Teresa Bitzan and Chelby Runge were all-conference honorable mentions.Runge was this year’s recipient of the Cardinal Award.

The team of Wegner/Lattimer won one doubles match in the section tournament while Rousu won one in the singles tournament.

Alexandria won one match in the section team tournament (5-2 over Moorhead) but were eliminated in the second round by Bemidji.

The Cardinals will graduate a sizeable senior class this spring including Wegner, Runge, Bitzan, Haydn Halverson, Dasha Sykora and Allison Trombley.

Rachel Wegner-DSC_5891.JPG — Alexandria senior Rachel Wegner earned a sweep at No. 2 singles against Fergus Falls on Sept. 27, 2022. Alexandria won 6-1 on senior night. Wegner was one of three all-conference players at the end of the 2022 season.

Throughout the season, the team was excited about the growth, youth and size (in numbers) of the program.

The Cardinals had 49 student-athletes out for the sport, 32 student-athletes earned participation honors and 17 were letter winners.

Come next season, the Cardinals will have a lot of senior and experienced student-athletes. The Cardinals will have 11 seniors – Rousu, Lattimer, Riyada Copeland, Jalyn Halverson, Madalyn Husfeldt, Kristy Knutson, Josie Kron, Julia Nelson, Rita Reed, Ayla Rolin and Meridith Sundby.

Lattimer, Rousu, Rolin and Jalyn Halverson are set to be the team captains for the 2023 season.