It’s official.

All this talk about rebuilding for the Albert Lea High School girls’ tennis team is more than just talk.

The surprising Tigers are two wins away from the state tournament.

The ALHS girls handled Mankato West 5-2 Monday in a Section 2AA meet on the Southwest Middle School courts, advancing to the section’s final four Wednesday at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

“It’s a very big win,” said second-year head coach Sean Gillam. “Whenever you’re in a section tournament, it’s a big win, and now we get to go to Gustavus. It shows that all the hard work the girls have done pays off in the end.”

It’s also an improbable trip. The Tigers won just one meet two years ago and two last year. Monday’s victory improved their record to 6-7, including 6-2 at home.

Gillam said the Tigers were confident entering Monday’s meet &045; but so were the Scarlets.

“I know their coaches were confident, because I heard them talking,” said Gillam. “But they forgot how much we have improved across the board.”

Especially at singles, where the Tigers won three of four matches. At No. 1, Becky Birkhofer rallied for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 triumph. Karen Leonard prevailed 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 and, at No. 3, eighth-grader Elizabeth Thompson swept a senior 7-5, 7-5.

Juniors Ashley Helgerson and Nicole Rafdal swept at No. 1 doubles, 6-3 and 6-3. Amanda Rose and Kristin Wulff rallied to win 2-6, 6-0, 6-4 at No. 2 doubles. The No. 3 duo of Nicole Merfeld and Elizabeth Schreiber lost 6-2, 6-3.

Barring an upset, the Tigers will likely face Hutchison – the No. 1 seed from the section’s north division – in the opening round Wednesday while Waseca – the top seed from the south – meets Orono, the north’s No. 2 seed. All four teams will play two meets, and the first-place team will represent the section at state. The first meets begin at 9 a.m., with the second round to follow.

Gillam said it’s great just to be there and, as the underdogs, the Tigers can relax and play loose.

“We didn’t expect to be here,” said the coach. “What do we have to lose?”