Jaydan Moses
AUSTIN — The Fairmont Cardinal girls tennis lineup nearly made a clean sweep during its season-opening dual-meet victory over the Austin Packers on Friday at Wescott Sports Complex in Austin.
Fairmont posted a 5-2 nonconference triumph over Austin, but its two individual losses went right down to the wire via extended three-set decisions.
Senior co-captain Abi Peyman produced a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Seanna Kubas during No. 2 singles action for the Cardinals, while senior teammate Elly Stegge collected back-to-back 6-2 set wins over Jenna Hetzel at the third position in the singles bracket.
Fairmont freshman Emelia Klanderud tallied another team point by dealing a 6-0, 6-3 loss to Sophia Meyer during fourth singles action.
Senior co-captain Hope Klanderud garnered her opening-set with Austin opponent Gracie Schmitt, 6-3, during No. 1 singles action. Schmitt, however, reversed the score in the second set in her direction at 6-3 to force a tiebreaker in place of a full third set.
Hope Klanderud battled before Schmitt pocketed the team tally by claiming a 10-6 decision in the extra session.
Fairmont’s senior tandem of Ellie Plumhoff and Jaydan Moses combined court skills at the No. 2 spot in the bracket to net a 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Ella Nack and Isabelle Owens.
Junior Claire Brockmann and freshman Carly Gustafson captured the Cardinals’ only third-set match, downing Payton Nelson and Claudia Slindea at third doubles, 6-4, 5-7, (10-8), respectively.
Austin’s No. 1 doubles tandem of Abby Van Pelt and Katie Van Pelt outlasted sophomore Madi Peyman and senior Brynn Gustafson in an extended clash, 5-7, 6-2, (10-5).
Fairmont (1-0) travels to Mapleton on Tuesday for a 4:30 p.m. non-league dual meet against Maple River.
The Cardinals then open the home portion of their schedule by playing host to an all-doubles triangular against Albert Lea and Belle Plaine next Friday, with action beginning at 9 a.m. at the Cardinal Courts in Fairmont.
Varsity Results
Fairmont 5, Austin 2
Singles Bracket
• Gracie Schmitt (A) def. Hope Klanderud, 3-6, 6-3, (10-6).
• Abi Peyman (FMT) def. Seanna Kubas, 6-3, 6-1.
• Elly Stegge (FMT) def. Jenna Hetzel, 6-2, 6-2.
• Emelia Klanderud (FMT) def. Sophia Meyer, 6-0, 6-3.
Doubles Bracket
• Abby Van Pelt-Katie Van Pelt (A) def. Madi Peyman-Brynn Gustafson, 5-7, 6-2, (10-5).
• Ellie Plumhoff-Jaydan Moses (FMT) def. Ella Nack-Isabelle Owens, 6-1, 6-2.
• Claire Brockmann-Carly Gustafson (FMT) def. Payton Nelson-Claudia Slindea, 6-4, 5-7, (10-8).
