HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS: Those famous firsts

So far during the 2026 Pipestone Area Schools’ girls tennis season, there have been six players to earn their first varsity victory.

Add Emery Hollingsworth and Coral Dengler to the list.

Pipestone Area Schools’ Coral Dengler returns a shot during a No. 3 doubles match versus Redwood Valley on Thursday, Sept. 17. Dengler, along with partner Emery Hollingsworth, picked up her first career victory. There have been six first-time winners for the Arrows this season. (Star photo by John Draper)

Hollingsworth and Dengler joined forces for a hard-fought victory over Emma Linsmeier and Harper Helgeson from Redwood Valley.

However, that victory didn’t help in the team scheme of things as the Cardinals defeated the Arrows, 5-2, at the Paulsen Athletic Complex-PAS Courts on Thursday, Sept. 17.

“It’s big,” said PAS head coach James Skyberg regarding the win for Hollingsworth and Dengler. Despite the inexperience, Emery and Coral pushed through in dramatic fashion.

Hollingsworth and Dengler won the first set, 6-4, and they nearly swept their Redwood Valley opponents. However, Linsmeier and Helgeson won the second set tie-breaker, 7-3.

That forced a race to 10 points in the third set, with Hollingsworth and Dengler prevailing 10-4.

Four other Arrows also have notched varsity wins: Elle Brockberg, Malli Erickson, Lauren Steuck and Anna Austin.

Pipestone Area Schools’ Elle Brockberg returns a shot during a match versus Redwood Valley on Thursday, Sept. 17. (Star photo by John Draper)

Skyberg said the matches versus Redwood Valley were competitive, but the Cardinals “were able to get a little bit up to win games.”

The Arrow duo of Sophia Baatz and Aubrey Brockberg continued their fine play at No. 1 doubles, defeating Faith Bruns and Anais Cournoyer, 6-4, 7-5.

Among the singles matches, No. 1 Jasmine Boeke was able to secure the most games with five. Complete results accompany this story in agate form.

Pipestone Area Schools’ Iva Witte prepares to hit the ball during a match versus Redwood Valley on Thursday, Sept. 17. (Star photo by John Draper)

The Arrows will be on the road Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Fairmont followed by New Ulm Thursday, Sept. 24.

The final regular-season home match is set for Monday, Sept. 28 versus Marshall.

Skyberg said the matches versus New Ulm and Marshall should be competitive ones.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the top-two teams in The Big South Conference will clash for the league championship — it pits the Black Division versus the Gold Division for supremacy.

Skyberg said it’s still too early to determine who PAS will face in the Section 3A team tournament.

Pipestone Area Schools’ Emma Smidt played No. 4 singles for the Arrows versus Redwood Valley on Thursday, Sept. 17. (Star photo by John Draper)

At the Paulsen-PAS Courts

Redwood Valley 5, Pipestone Area 2

No. 1: Kaelynn Welsh, RV, d. Jasmine Boeke, 6-1, 6-4

No. 2: Grace Blare, RV, d. Iva Witte, 6-1, 6-2

No. 3: Eloise Brozek, RV, d. Ireland Draper, 6-0, 6-0

No. 4: Elle Iverson, RV, d. Emma Smidt, 6-2, 6-0

No. 1: Sophia Baatz/Aubrey Brockberg, PAS, d. Faith Bruns/Anais Cournoyer, 6-4, 7-5

No. 2: Ellery Larsen/Iris Vogland, RV, d. Elle Brockberg/Malli Erickson, 6-4, 6-2

No. 3: Emery Hollingsworth/Coral Dengler, PAS, d. Emma Linsmeier/Harper Helgeson, 6-4, 6-7 (7-3), 10-4

Pipestone Area Schools’ Ireland Draper hits a backhand during a Sept. 17 match versus Redwood Valley. (Star photo by John Draper)