MANKATO &045; The score did not indicate it, but Albert Lea head coach Sean Gillam is pleased with the progress he is seeing from his young tennis team this season.

The Tigers fell to Mankato East 6-1, but Gillam felt his squad played with better effort than it had in the last few matches.

&uot;It is unfortunate we played such a talented team because with the effort we showed tonight it would have been enough to change the score quite a bit against many teams,&uot; he said

Niki Hendrickson and Amanda Leonard lost at Nos. 1 and 2 singles, respectively, with Hendrickson falling 2-6, 6-0 and Leonard coming up short 3-6, 2-6.

&uot;Those two have really had to play some very good players this season, and I give them a ton of credit for hanging in there and being positive,&uot;

Gillam said.

&uot;It is only going to help us next season when we bring them back.&uot;

Laura Hibbard lost 2-6, 1-6 and Cori Madson closed out singles with a 2-6, 0-6 defeat.

Cara Thorn and Liz Thompson suffered a tough loss in the first game at No. 1 doubles 6-7 (2-7) before the match was ended 2-6.

Marisa Christopherson and Hali Hendrickson would get the Tigers’ lone win with what their coach described as dominant and aggressive play.

They were victorious 6-2, 6-1.

Brie Bangert and Kelli Hanson rounded out the varsity with a 3-6, 3-6 setback.

Albert Lea is at the Waseca Triangular this Saturday.