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topicnews · October 23, 2024

Girls tennis: Litchfield advances to state championship game – West Central Tribune

Girls tennis: Litchfield advances to state championship game – West Central Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS – Nearly three hours into the Class A semifinal game between the Litchfield and Crookston girls tennis teams, you could hear a pin drop during the game on Wednesday.

With one game still tied, the two teams, both top teams in Class A, were tied 3-3.

The final point that decided which team would win the top-seeded Blake in the Class A state championship was the No. 2 singles match between Litchfield’s Maya Wuotila and Crookston’s Paige Abrahamson.

Wuotila, who lost the first set 3-6 and won the second set 6-4, held a 5-4 lead in the third set as crowds from both fan bases flooded Court 2 at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center.

On or near Court 2, Litchfield’s dragon wings could be heard roaring and the gasps of the pirate crowd, or vice versa.

It felt like the game would never end. But these emotions continued to escalate.

Abrahamson forced a 5-5 scoreline and seemed to gain momentum in the 11th game. She had earned two add-in advantages before the calm Wuotila fought back to take a 6-5 lead.

Similar to Game 11, Wuotila found a way in Game 12. She fought out of an add-in for Abrahamson before winning the game, securing a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory.

The seniors’ win gave third-seeded Litchfield a 4-3 win over second-seeded Crookston and a berth in the Class A state championship with Blake, which takes place Wednesday at 4 p.m.

“It was everything I could ask for,” Wuotila said. “It was an incredible game.”

Litchfield student Isla Dille prevails in her No. 1 singles match against Ashlyn Bailey of Crookston in the Class A semifinals on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis.

Michael Lyne/West Central Tribune

Dragons head coach Matt Draeger had a good feeling about Wuotila’s ability to come away with a win for his team, which recently earned a thrilling three-set victory with the No. 1 doubles pairing of senior Emma Knudsen and sophomore Molly Patten .

“Maya would take care of things,” Draeger said. “This young lady won three third-set tiebreakers in one week this year. She’s been through a lot of these situations and always seems to come through.”

Litchfield Dragons vs. Crookston, 102324-4.jpg

Litchfield student Emma Wuotila eyes the ball in her No. 3 singles match against Crookston’s Ava Martin in the Class A semifinals on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis.

Michael Lyne/West Central Tribune

With an add-in advantage, Wuotila secured her win with a high throw out of Abrahamson’s reach that ended up fielding.

The green, black and white-clad crowd erupted in an uproar and Wuotila threw her hands in the air before running toward her teammates.

“It was a relief to hit the last shot and know (Paige) wasn’t going to try,” Wuotila said. “I just wanted to hug all my girls and be happy with them.”

Litchfield Dragons vs. Crookston, 102324-2.jpg

The Litchfield girls tennis team raids Maya Wuotila after her No. 2 singles win over Crookston’s Paige Abrahamson sent the Dragons to the Class A state championship against Blake on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis has.

Michael Lyne/West Central Tribune

Throughout the first day’s action on Tuesday, Wuotila watched a game that captured the attention of everyone watching. She made it clear that she didn’t want to be in that situation.

But Wuotila found herself in it and in one of the biggest, if not the biggest, matches of her Dragons career to date. She remembered to play as best she could.

“I saw everyone gathering together and I think it helped me more knowing that everyone was there cheering and supporting me,” Wuotila said. “It was actually really nice.”

Wuotila was one of three individual players to earn a win for Litchfield.

Isla Dille and Emma Wuotila, both sophomores, set the tone for the Dragons. Dille won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 singles against Ashlyn Bailey of the Pirates. Emma Wuotila earned a 6-2, 6-0 win over Crookston’s Ava Martin.

“We’re in the state championship,” Draeger said. “We’ll let the dice roll and see what happens.”

Litchfield last competed in the state championship in 2021. The Dragons lost 7-0 to Breck.

Litchfield 4, Crookston 3

(1) Isla Dille, L, def. Ashlyn Bailey, 6-1, 6-1… (2) Maya Wuotila, L, def. Paige Abrahamson, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5… (3) Emma Wuotila, L, def. Ava Martin, 6-2, 6-0… (4) Emelia Hoerner, C, def. Marcella Bruning, 6-1, 6-0

(1) Emma Knudsen/Molly Patten, L, def. Addie Fee/Kaylie Clauson, 1-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 … (2) Georgia Sanders/Logan Brekken, C, def. Brynn Nagel/Tayah Damerow, 6-4, 6-2 … (3) Chloe Boll/Emma LaPlante, C, def. Emily Michels/Elly Woelfel, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (3)

Michael Lyne

Michael Lyne joined the West Central Tribune as a sports reporter in May 2022 after graduating from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in Spanish studies.

Reach Michael at mlyne@wctrib.com or call (320) 214-4345.