WELLS &045; It wasn’t a win, but it was definitely a strong start to the season for the Albert Lea High School girls’ tennis team.

The Tigers lost 4-3 Thursday in a nonconference meet at United South Central, a traditional Class A state power.

&uot;I think we played well enough to win,&uot; said ALHS coach Sean Gillam. &uot;It would have been nice to get that 4-3 (win), but I feel good about the 3-4. I think the girls were real happy with the way we played.&uot;

The Tigers won two of the four singles matches, all of which were decided in straight sets.

At No. 2, Karen Leonard defeated Rebecca Leland 6-2, 6-3 while at No. 3 Elizabeth Thompson beat Sara Neubauer 6-2, 6-1. Becky Birkhofer lost 6-4, 6-2 to Amy Christenson at No. 1 singles and Dezeray Jacobs fell 6-0, 6-2 to Cassie Wood at No. 4.

The Tigers’ doubles win was at No. 1, where Ashley Helgerson and Nicole Rafdal rallied 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 over Beth Yokiel and Danielle Huper. Amanda Rose and Kristin Wulff lost 6-3, 6-2 to Erin Allis and Marie Halvorson at No. 2 doubles while Marisa Christopherson and Amanda Leonard were defeated 6-1, 6-0 by Kate Ostrowski and Ashley Wermedal at No. 3.

A day earlier the Rebels shut out Austin 7-0, winning six of the matches in straight sets.

The Tigers travel to Waseca Monday.

(Contact Jim Lutgens at sports@ albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)