2011 Fall Preview: East Ridge girls tennis team looks to eclipse .500 this fall

Last year, the East Ridge girls tennis team finished 9-10 overall, however, under third-year head coach Jon Rydberg and with a number of key players returning, the Raptors hope to rise up the standings a bit this fall.

“We’re looking forward to our team moving up a spot or possibly two in the conference,” Rydberg said. “The development and advancement of our young team should be fun to watch through the season.”

East Ridge is off to a hot start to start 2011, beginning the year 5-0.

East Ridge opened the season with a 7-0 non-conference win over fellow District 833 school New Life Academy, then topped intra-district foe Woodbury 5-2 in the final of the Royal/Raptor Quad tournament to repeat as champions after beating Tartan and Harding earlier in the day and capped the five-game stretch with a 6-1 win over St. Paul Central last week.

The Raptors lost 2011 graduates Meghan Tomai and Ellie Eckman from last year’s team. However, senior captains Emily Mueller and Leah Robinson and junior Maddie Blake will help lead the way this fall, along with senior Hannah Strom and sophomore Anna Bearrood. Additionally, promising eighth-graders Minh-Tu Van and twin sisters Natalie and Nicole Robinson will play key roles for the Raptors.

Key matches still upcoming include: at Stillwater, Thursday, Sept. 8, at Woodbury on Thursday, Sept. 15, the East Ridge Invitational tournament on Saturday, Sept. 17, and at home against Hastings on Thursday, Sept. 29.

Tags: fall preview 2011, sports, prep, updates