First-year Austin High tennis coach Dave Handeland has a tough choice to make for the remainder of the postseason -- which lineup to choose.

The Packers pushed their overall dual record to 12-2 with a 6-1 victory over Hastings in the opening round of Section 1AA play Tuesday at the Wescott Tennis Courts. The rain waited long enough for Austin to throw its alternate lineup on the hardcourt and throw out any thoughts Hastings had of an upset.

"This was one of my two choices for sections, along with my normal one," Coach Handeland said of Tuesday's lineup. No doubles team was the same from the Packers' previous 13 duals and only two singles players were familiar with their varsity position.

"I had another lineup that I was going to use but I got ganged up on by Owatonna, Mayo and Winona at the conference meeting," Handeland said. "Now I'm not sure which lineup I'm going to use for the rest of sections."

Austin easily dispatched of Hastings while advancing to Thursday's second round. The Packers will host the winner of Tuesday's Lakeville versus Rochester Century match.

"The only question (of Tuesday's doubles lineup) was if the girls could build up enough trust and confidence in each other," Handeland said. "And they did. After conference they were all for trying something new."

The Packers had little success against rival Rochester Mayo after a long day of tennis Saturday at the Big Nine meet. Austin's newfound fervor may become a favorite for a remainder of the postseason.

Lakeville or Century will come to Wescott Thursday at 4 p.m.

Results:

Singles

Amy Kelly def. Jackie Botnen, 6-0, 6-0

Caitlin Juregensen def. Annie Dabruzzi, 6-4, 6-0

Becky Ploeger (H) def. Andrea Holt, 6-3, 6-4

Betsy Hingeveld def. Abby Beyfirm-Carlson, 6-0, 6-2

Doubles

Katie Erickson and Claire Johnson def. Jenny Hoffman and Krista Allger, 6-1, 6-0

Noelle Wiebelhaus and Lisa Bue def. Becky Hill and Elisa Dabruzzi, 6-4, 6-0

Steph Bowe and Margaret Wagner def. Hallie Goodman and Meghan Moynihan, 6-0, 6-1