The Austin girls tennis team was counting on a second chance to beat rival Rochester Mayo, but the Packers used it up to get that far.

Austin came back from an early deficit to beat Eastview 4-3 in the semifinals of Section 1AA action Tuesday morning at the Rochester Athletic Club, but Mayo made it three straight with a 4-3 victory that was not decided with the last match.

With seven seniors, Austin ended its dual-meet season at 14-3 overall. Two of the losses were to Mayo, and both came by 4-3 scores.

"Mayo is a very good team and they are a dynasty in the making because they have no seniors," said AHS first-year coach Dave Handeland. "To take Mayo right down to the end twice in the year is something special.

"We started out in the finals with everyone leading. It was looking really good but eventually Mayo rallied. I knew we would have a chance but knew we would also probably need some girls to play the match of their lives for us to win."

The Spartans are ranked second in the state in AA, while Austin ended the season ninth in the polls. The Packers have fallen to Mayo in the section finals each of the last three years, with the most recent pairing being the closest Austin has come.

"Our team was something special and everyone brought their own personality to it," Handeland said. "This whole experience is something I'll never forget.

"I was proud of these girls. Coming into the year I think we were the only ones who thought we'd do this good after losing five seniors - three of which went to the individual state tourney."

Austin split with the Spartans' strength, the singles matches, but managed only one win in doubles play. Senior teammates Margaret Wagner and Betsy Hingeveld were the last ones on the court for the Packers, and played inspired tennis after hearing the team trailed 4-2 to Mayo with only their match to play. The AHS duo defeated the same Mayo pairing -- Lara Clark and Katie Nichols -- that handed them their first, last and only loss of the season.

"They were going to make sure that their final match had a happy ending and they fought their way through and got a win," Handeland said. "It was pretty sad when they finished, because they got emotional along with the rest of the team and the whole team embraced for the final time."

The Packers start individual sections Thursday.

Win when it counts

Austin lost three of four singles matches to Eastview, with senior Amy Kelly netting the only win. The Packers picked up all three doubles matches, rallying around seniors Noelle Wiebelhaus and Claire Johnson with the meet on the line.

"Claire and Noelle have played their best tennis in the last two weeks, and it couldn't have happened at a better time for our team," Handeland said. "I was so happy for those girls and for once they got the spotlight on them and they took advantage of it."

The Packer pair lost the first set and rallied in the final two for the clinching win.

Two Austin seniors took advantage of their opportunity against Mayo opponents. Katie Erickson and Caitlin Jurgensen each avenged earlier losses at Nos. 2 and 3 singles with a pair of straight-set victories.

Austin 4, Eastview 3

Singles

Amy Kelly (A) def. Dawn Olsen, 6-2, 6-1

Meghan Williams (E) def. Katie Erickson, 6-3, 6-1

Justine Allen (E) def. Caitlin Jurgenson, 6-1, 6-3

Lisa Nguyen (E) def. Andrea Holt, 7-5, 6-2

Doubles

Claire Johnson and Noelle Wiebelhaus (A) def. Elizabeth Shaetter and Caitlin Dugan, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1

Lisa Bue and Stephanie Bowe (A) def. Erin Curry and Megan Sherwin, 6-4, 6-0

Betsy Hingeveld and Margaret Wagner (A) def. Thuy Trinh and Bryana McCarthy, 6-1, 6-4

Mayo 4 Austin 3

Singles

Caitlyn Loprinzi (M) def. Amy Kelly, 6-4, 6-1

Katie Erickson (A) def. Katie Carr, 6-4, 6-1

Caitlin Jurgenson (A) def. Allison Bond, 6-1, 6-0

Ellie Trousdale (M) def. Andrea Holt, 7-5, 6-1

Doubles

Rachael Click and Becky Johnson (M) def. Claire Johnson and Noelle Wiebelhaus, 6-2, 6-3

Leah Nichols and Laura Grigoleit (M) def. Lisa Bue and Stephanie Bowe

Betsy Hingeveld and Margaret Wagner (A) def. Lara Clark and Katie Nichols