Less than 24 hours from the time you read this, Laurie Alonso will be making her first appearance in the state’s Class AA Singles Championship Series.

Thursday, October 28, 1999

Less than 24 hours from the time you read this, Laurie Alonso will be making her first appearance in the state’s Class AA Singles Championship Series.

Her’s is a landmark accomplishment in Austin girls tennis. Alonso is the first Austin girl to participate in the state singles tournament since Sarah Paulson went twice in 1975-76.

"I’m excited," Alonso said. "It’s going to be a fun experience. I’m going to enjoy the moment."

Alonso is one of 16 players in the Class AA series – two from each of the state’s eight sections. The tournament is being held at the Racquet, Swim and Health Club in Brooklyn Center.

Alonso’s opening opponent in the single elimination tournament is a daunting one. At 8:30 a.m. Friday, Alonso plays the heralded defending state champion Jeannette Clusky of Edina.

But to Alonso, Clusky, who is said to have received 150 college offers, is an unknown.

"I’ve never seen her play," Alonso said.

Alonso and Austin coach Deb Hoyt traveled to the Twin Cities today to scout Clusky while Edina plays in the Class AA team competition.

What they do know is this. Clusky is a rarity, a left-handed kick-server. What that means is the Edina senior hits a serve that kicks high off the bounce. The ball also slices to the right off the bounce.

Alonso had never played a lefty kick server until Wednesday, when she met up with Mark Prosen at the YMCA.

"Not many girls hit a kick serve," Alonso said.

Prosen is the general manager of Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill. He’s also among the top players in town and the only person with such a serve.

Rather than wait beyond the baseline for the kick serve to come down, Alonso’s plan is to attack the ball on its way up.

"I’m going to take it early," Alonso said, "before it gets into its bounce."

Hoyt applauded her sophomore’s approach.

"We train not to be defensive," Hoyt said. "We teach our girls to try to be aggressive and attack the ball."

But Alonso is not attacking the state tournament. Rather, she’s going to soak it in.

She hasn’t set any goals or made any determinations about what to expect. She’s just going to play.

After sizing up where she fits in the state atmosphere, "then we’ll make goals and prepare for the future," Hoyt said.

A bright future indeed.