The Bulldogs girls tennis team made its first state tournament appearance in the tennis program history at Becker High School. A thrilling victory over Bemidji in the Section 8AA championship sent the Bulldogs to Minneapolis. 

Heading to the Baseline Tennis Center on the University of Minnesota campus last week, the Bulldogs went unseeded into the tournament. They were put in the draw to play either the #1-seeded Edina Hornets, #2-seeded Minnetonka Skippers, or #3-seeded Mounds View Mustangs. 

The draw came and it was the Skippers. 

Minnetonka had only lost two matches all year, both times in close contests to Edina. 

The Bulldogs were ready to face the Skippers at noon Tues. Oct. 22. BHS supported the team so well, they offered a fan bus, giving students the opportunity to come support the team. 

“It was awesome to look up and see way more navy and Carolina blue compared to the royal blue, “ said Becker Head Coach Nate Bucher. “Its just amazing how our community can come together and support each other.”

 When play began, however, the Skippers showed why they were the #2 seed. Ultimately overpowering the Bulldogs in their first 0-7 loss of the year. 

Ayla Brown competed well at #4 singles, pushing her Minnetonka opponent in the second set, nearly forcing a third. 

“Ayla played great, she was really good at doing what she’s done all year, be consistent and make her opponent execute shots over and over again,” said Bucher. “In the end, her opponent just had too much finishing power.”

Although the Bulldogs lost their match, they were guaranteed a second in the consolation rounds. 

The Bulldogs would then face the loser between Woodbury and Mounds View. Woodbury fell to Mounds View and set the match-up for six o’clock later that evening. 

Becker’s #1 doubles team of Julia Bengtson and Alayna Lindquist were the only win for the Bulldogs, falling 6-1 to Woodbury ending the team run for the Bulldogs. 

“We had some opportunities to compete in some of the other positions, but just couldn’t find a rhythm to finish the games when we had the chance,” said Bucher. 

On the individual side, Bengtson and Lindquist qualified for the individual state tournament in doubles. Their first match found a Benilde St. Margaret team with lots of power, but also left open many chances for the Bulldog doubles team to capitalize on. In the end, the Knights made a run and defeated the Bulldog team. 

The second match found them in the consolation rounds playing a very strong STMA doubles team, made up two players that through the season play singles, therefore their groundstrokes were very strong. Bengtson and Lindquist again, had sparks and were pushing, but in the end the STMA team executed too well. 

“Both Alayna and Jules are such hard workers, they also are fairly calculated, so very few times did they drop matches in the season because they adjusted well to their opponents,” said Becker’s head coach. “I’m so proud of their effort, and the way they seem to bring an energy on the court that spills out to their team members!”

Bucher was happy and proud for all his players.

“I am so proud of each of these students, they worked so hard and had a goal at the beginning of the season to work and compete at the highest level and give them the opportunity to play in the state tournament,” he said. “Only one team gets to finish their season on the high note, but making history like this and winning each step of the journey as a team is something we are very proud of.” 

Bucher said there were countless times where a different position had to step up and execute to continue to extend their season.

“Again, thank you for all the support and the encouragement we felt throughout this season. We look forward to next year, now we know what to expect!”