Red River doubles team leads Riders over Knights

Come North Dakota state girls tennis time, Shaelyn Johnson will be trying to repeat as state singles champion, a feat she achieved as an eighth-grader a year ago.

Maddie Anderson will be teaming with Maddie Johnson to try to defend their state doubles championship.

On Tuesday against Grand Forks Central, though, Shaelyn Johnson and Anderson showed they can be a formidable duo together, as well.

The two won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles to lead the Roughriders to a 9-0 win over the Knights at Register Courts.

"They play good doubles together," Red River coach Greg LaDouceur said. "Shaelyn hits with power and Maddie can really read opponents at the net. She does a nice job not making it easy for them."

Red River improved to 8-0, while the Knights dropped to 3-5.

"We have fun out there," Anderson said. "We know each other's shots. We know each other's games. We keep each other happy."

Anderson, a senior, said she likes doubles better than singles because it's a faster game and she has someone to talk to on the court.

Johnson said she prefers singles because when she has a bad day it doesn't impact her partner.

"But (Anderson) keeps me up when we play together," Johnson said. "We work well together because we get along on and off the court."

Shaelyn Johnson also beat Central's Katie Stauss 6-3, 6-1 at No. 1 singles. At No. 2 singles, Maddie Anderson beat Sophie Welsh 6-2, 6-0.

Maddie Johnson, Brooke Kennelly, Isabel Krogh and Lilli Pokrzywinski also won singles matches.

As a team, Red River's biggest test comes Thursday at West Fargo Sheyenne, which is also undefeated. The Mustangs are the likely state favorites.

"I'd like to be at a higher level than we're at right now," LaDouceur said. "Part of that is us and part is our opponents. Our opponents are playing very well and putting pressure on us. We're making some poor choices on shots and if that trend continues we can be in trouble.

"We still have time. It's no time to panic. I really like this group. They get along and they're good kids. We're going to be OK."