PREP TENNIS: Wohnoutka advances to state in girls tennis

ST. PETER — Luverne’s Kaitlin Wohnoutka won two of three tennis matches Tuesday to advance to girls’ state tournament in Minneapolis next week.

In her first game, Wohnoutka defeated Lorena Hernandez of St. James 6-4 and 7-5.

“Kaitlin really had a good day,” LHS coach Greg Antoine said. “She beat a very good player in Hernandez by being extra patient and picking just the right times to finish the point. You have to be really consistent to do what Kaitlin did today.”

Wohnoutka lost in her second game to Aryn Eckstrom of St. James 6-1, 6-0.

“She then got beat by the #1 seed Eckstrom,” Antoine said. “Aryn is just too strong and consistent for Kaitlin to beat her.”

Wohnoutka then went on to play for second place against Abby Schmidt of Redwood Valley 6-0, 6-2.

“Then Kaitlin had to play for true second and did the same thing to Schmidt from RWV,” Antoine said. “Keeping the ball in play until you have an advantage is no easy task. Kaitlin jumped out to a quick one set lead and never looked back.”

In doubles, Luverne’s Paige Adams and Kynzie Smedsrud fell to St. James’ Megan Lahti and Michaela Nelson 7-5, 6-0. Adams and Smedsrud then played Catherine Haugen and Sierra Frazier of Montevideo and lost 6-2, 6-2.

With the two losses, Adams and Smedsrud earned fourth place in the tournament.

Tags: sports, prep, luverne, tennis