MINOT -- Grand Forks Red River coach Tim Wynne admitted to not knowing much about his first two West Region opponents on the opening day of the North Dakota state girls tennis tournament.
The unfamiliarity didn't matter as the Roughriders returned to the state championship match with 5-0 wins over Minot High in the first round and Bismarck St. Mary's in the semifinals Thursday in the Cameron Indoor Tennis Center.
"I was relieved more than anything because any time you play a team from the west, frankly we don't know that much about them," Wynne said. "In the east we weren't really pushed too hard, so when we play against anyone out here, you're a little worried."
Wynne and the Roughriders won't have to worry about not knowing their championship opponent.
Bismarck Century also earned decisive wins, topping Fargo North in the first round and Williston in the semifinals both by scores of 4-1. Century's win in the semifinals set up a state title rematch that has been played out for nearly a decade.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Eight times in the championship, and Red River has won the past seven," Century coach Scott McPherson said. "They are a real solid team, probably as good as they have had. But we've had a good season, and I'm happy with the way we are playing to this point, so I'm looking forward to see what we can do."
Wynne expects an interesting dual.
"(Century) is somebody that we are very familiar with," he said. "At least half their team is the same as they've had (the past few years), which is the same with us. It's going to be a matter of catching up to what has changed, and what hasn't. So I think it's going to be interesting."
Red River had only one match go an extra set as Morgan Smith defeated Andie Taborsky of St. Mary's 6-7, 7-6 (12-10) at No. 3 singles in the team semifinals.
Defending state singles champion and Red River junior Callie Ronkowski lost only two games in recording straight set wins. East Region singles runner-up Samantha Anderson teamed with Madison Hovland in a 6-1, 6-2 first-round win over Minot's No. 1 doubles team of Lindsey Eckmann and Shantel Montgomery.
"I thought our doubles played great today," Wynne said. "I was also happy with our singles players. I knew they would be tough to beat."
Century's strength Thursday was in the play of its top singles players as West Region singles champion Hallie Welk, Sarah Janes and Hailey Whitman all went undefeated in straight sets.
