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A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
Morgan Olesiak serves during Monday's senior day tennis meet with Superior. The No. 2 doubles player, with partner Emma Parks, got an upset win over a previously undefeated Spartans duo.
CEC's tennis team features 10 seniors. They were honored Monday before a home meet against Superior. The Lumberjacks came out on top, 5-2.
It was senior night for CEC tennis Monday. First-year coach Emily Hallgren welcomed parents and fans of the 10 seniors who enjoyed their day in the sun in Cloquet with an impressive 5-2 win over Superior.
"It was a fun night because we were able to get all 10 seniors in the matches tonight," Hallgren said. "It was so special. Each senior was introduced with parents and then we read a memory from each of them and also some advice to younger players."
Following a ceremony introducing the seniors, fans were treated to cake and some entertaining matches.
"Our senior leadership has been so good this year," Hallgren said. "Not only do we have overall good senior leadership, but we are lucky to have two great captains in Emilie Mattinen and Paige Goranson."
Mattinen and Goranson did their part in helping CEC gain a quick advantage as they both won their singles matches. Mattinen defeated her opponent Olivia Mihalik 6-2, 6-4 at No. 1 singles and Goranson downed Mattie Schilling 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 singles. At No. 3 singles, CEC's Ellie Krube won 7-5, 6-0 over Annika Nikoi. CEC's Grace McIlvain fell 3-6, 4-6 to Savanah Mosack at No. 4, but CEC was able to build a 3-1 lead after singles play.
"Normally, Grace doesn't play singles, so she had to play out of her comfort zone, but she played well for us," Hallgren said.
Superior took the win at No. 1 doubles as Greta Clark and Lily Clark downed the CEC team of Rylie Goranson and Raegan Grayson 6-1, 6-0.
"Both of Superior's top two doubles teams were undefeated," Hallgren said.
At No. 2 doubles, the CEC team of Emma Parks and Morgan Olesiak were able to secure an impressive win over the Spartan team of Kenlyn Thimm and Ava Dahl by a 6-4, 7-5 score.
CEC rounded out the match with a win at No. 3 doubles by Madison Erickson and Erin Keating, who defeated Abby Barker and Lexi Kimmes 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
"I like the way we are playing right now," Hallgren said. "The girls are getting into a groove and are getting more comfortable. Now their confidence is beginning to grow."
Not only did the 'Jacks win, but they won on their new courts and in front of a substantial crowd, which hasn't been the case in the past.
"The seniors had their banners hung on the fences and the fans can actually watch matches from inside the court where we have bleachers," Hallgren said. "We get quite the crowd and we now have four bleachers, so it creates quite an atmosphere."
