C-E-C Tennis Looks To Top Players To Begin Season

Aug 24

Kerry Rodd-NSO

About the only givens for the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls tennis team are that Kelsey Collier is back at #1 singles and both Alicen Johnson and Savannah Hanson should be tough after getting tons of court time last season.

“I honestly don’t know what to expect this year,” said CEC coach Steve Rickstrom. “Last year we were very strong with Kelsey [Collier] playing number one most of the season and we had a lot of experience beneath her and won several matches because of our depth.”

Last year Rebecca Lind, Sydnee Burud-Erickson, Sheila Martin and Katrina Korman all provided depth, but they are all heading off to college.

“This year the depth is gone and we will be depending on our top players to get the job done,” Rickstrom stated. “The good news is Kelsey had that year of playing number one singles and she worked hard over the summer to improve her game. We will see how our new players behind her perform.”

Rickstrom, who is in his 10th year as coach, is joined by third-year volunteer assistant Carolyn Kedrowki.

“Carolyn does a great job with the girls and really helps the younger kids learn the game,” explained Rickstrom. “Both Carolyn and I are really excited about the progress made over the summer by Micheala Houser and Reilly Kedrowski. They both look like they can be contributors to our success this season after completing the Extreme Tennis Camp which was brought in this summer by Jan Nanowski and Jake Tideman of Duluth.”

CEC got a good look at their talent on Saturday when they scrimmaged at home against Holy Angels Academy of the Twin Cities.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at Kerry@northlandsportsonline.com