VIDEO: Pacelli’s Johnen settles for fourth at Class ‘A’ state tournament

Published 1:19 am Saturday, October 31, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS — It didn’t end the way she had hoped, but Pacelli’s Lisa Johnen definitely learned some lessons at the Class ‘A’ state girls tennis meet at the Read Sweatt Family Tennis Center Friday.

Johnen took fourth place after dropping a semifinal match to eventual state champ Elena Sullivan of Providence Academy and she fell to Taylor Washington of Mounds Park Academy in the third place match. Johnen, who finishes the season at 18-3, lost more matches in a six-hour period Friday than she had all season.

“I think I learned a lot. I have to learn to lose, because I didn’t lose a lot this year,” the junior foreign exchange student from Germany said.

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Sullivan, a sophomore topped Johnen in two sets, besting her 6-3, 6-4. Washington, who was ranked No. 1 in Class ‘A’ entering the tournament, beat Johnen 6-3, 6-0.

“She had good starts in both of the matches. They’re just real tough players and they’ll test your patience and your mental toughness,” Pacelli head coach Mark Henderson said. “I think Washington plays with a lot of power and pace and that’s tough to overcome. She was in a groove and Lisa couldn’t get her out of it.”

Johnen actually led 3-1 to start the first set against Washington, but she couldn’t hold on.

“She was really good and it was hard. I was still tired from my first match,” Johnen said. “But it was fun.”

After sweeping through Thursday’s round with a couple of two-set wins, Johnen had a tough time Friday. But Henderson said she still held her own against some of the best players in the state of Minnesota.

“She’s played a lot of good players throughout her life and that prepared her for this,” she said. “She’s learned to play on the hard court (after playing only on clay in Germany) and she’s learned to love that. I’d say when she goes back (to Germany) she’ll have some new skills that she didn’t have before she came.”

Johnen’s state berth was also a big deal for the Pacelli tennis team. They had a chance to come and watch the state tennis tournament, something they would have never done if Johnen hadn’t advanced. Plus, they provided strong support for Johnen.

“So many people from my school really supported me. I want to thank my coach, my team and Pacelli High School for supporting me this week,” Johnen said.

Sullivan won the title by beating Courtney Rust of Rochester Lourdes 6-2, 6-4. Rust beat Washington 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 to get to the finals.