The rebuilding process for Lyle-Pacelli girls’ tennis began Thursday with a pair of 7-0 conference losses to defending state champion Lourdes and Lake City in Rochester.

Friday, August 27, 1999

The rebuilding process for Lyle-Pacelli girls’ tennis began Thursday with a pair of 7-0 conference losses to defending state champion Lourdes and Lake City in Rochester.

Lyle-Pacelli managed only a few points against the Lourdes’ junior varsity to start the day, but played better against Lake City before eventually tiring.

"They’re in a class all their own," Hebrink said of Lourdes. "Their JV could probably beat a lot of varsity teams out there."

"We usually play Lake City pretty close. They’re deeper than they’ve been in the past."

With only two returning players from last year’s team and several players new to the sport, third-year coach Suzy Hebrink was pleased with the team’s efforts.

"We could definitely see an improvement after the first match," Hebrink said. "All in all it was a good experience."

Against Lake City, Sammy Jones lost 6-1 and 6-2 at No. 1 singles and Laura Christopherson battled hard at No. 2 singles losing 6-4 and 6-0. Christopherson was ahead 4-2 in the first set.

Jones and Christopherson, who are both freshmen, are the most experienced players on the team as well as the only holdovers from last year’s squad when they played on the No. 2 doubles and No. 3 doubles teams respectively.

Senior Tammy May, who is new to the game, bounced back after losing 6-0 in the first set to come back stronger in the second set before losing 6-3.

Junior Christina Edstrom, another first-time player, lost 6-0 and 6-0.

In doubles play, Erin Evans and Lyle’s Laura Wiechmann teamed together at the No. 1 doubles. The duo lead 5-1 in the first set before eventually losing 7-5 and 6-3 in the second set.

Ilsa Burke and Jenny Blake were dealt a pair of 6-0 losses at No. 2 doubles.

Lyle-Pacelli had some players missing, forcing some different lineups, and had to forfeit the No. 3 doubles match.

Lyle-Pacelli will face Stewartville Tuesday in Byron.