Eastview junior Karin Young, the defending Class 2A girls’ tennis single champion, was delighted when the Minnesota State High School League approved the resumption of play this fall.

Tennis is life in the Young household — both her parents are tennis coaches, including U of M men’s coach Geoff Young, and her brother Gavin, an Eastview junior, is also a top player — but despite her connections, she was sidelined for much of the spring and summer, the same as most other players. Just getting back on the court was a thrill.

“I was able to play in three tournaments this summer, pretty local, but most of my events were canceled,” said Young, the No. 1-ranked junior girl in Minnesota according to USTA Northern Region rankings. “It was just really great to get back with the team. I missed the team atmosphere.”

Young has paced the Lightning to a perfect 5-0 record so far, winning all five of her singles matches handily. Another state singles title would be nice, she said, but her sights are squarely with the team.

"We have a lot of new girls, but I’m excited to see how far we can go,” she said.

JIM PAULSEN

INDIVIDUALS
1. Karin Young, Eastview, junior
2. Zoe Adkins, Maple Grove, jr.
3. Nikki Ridenour, Roseville, jr.
4. Sarah Shabaz, Minnetonka, sophomore
5. Sonia Baig, Blake (Class 1A), senior
Others: Annika Elvestrom, Minnetonka; Lauren Splett, Mahtomedi; Annika Munson, Mahtomedi; Molly Austin, Mounds View; Bella Suk, Blake.

TEAMS
1. Minnetonka
2. Edina
3. Blake (1A)
4. Mahtomedi
5. Mounds View

JIM PAULSEN