The Albert Lea girls’ tennis team was on its way to a season-opening sweep Tuesday before darkness cut a home triangular short.

The Tigers beat Lyle/Pacelli 6-1 and led Worthington 2-1 before the second match was called due to darkness. At the time the match was cancelled, the Tigers led 1-0 in two of the three matches into the second set.

The Tigers’ No. 1 singles player, Michelle Hartmann, won both her matches while only dropping one set. The senior beat Lyle/Pacelli’s Abby Leif 6-0, 6-0 and Worthington’s Kate Lesnar 6-1, 6-0.

“Hartmann took care of business today,” Tigers coach Wayne Prudoehl said.

Prudoehl said he was impressed by his No. 1 doubles team of Karlee Andersen and Kelsey Lenhart in their first-set win over Worthington.

“Their net play was very good,” Prudoehl said.

The Tigers’ top doubles duo beat Lyle/Pacelli’s Betsy Ettinger and Tiffany Hoesing 6-2, 6-1.

Lyle/Pacelli had only six players on its roster and forfeited at No. 4 singles and No. 2 and 3 doubles. Prudoehl said the Tigers were also shorthanded but filled in varsity spots with underclassmen.

The Tigers (1-0) play again at 4 p.m. Thursday against United South Central (1-4) in Wells.

Lyle/Pacelli eighth-grader Betsy Ettinger returns a serve Tuesday at No. 1 doubles against Albert Lea.

Albert Lea 6, Lyle/Pacelli 1

Singles

No. 1 Michelle Hartmann (AL) def. Abby Leif 6-0, 6-0

No. 2 Maggie Leif (LP) def. Susie Marin 7-6, 6-4

No. 3 Megan Gilbertson (AL) def. Mindy Nguyen 6-0, 6-0

No. 4 Kristin Sandager (AL) won by forfeit

Doubles

No. 1 Karlee Andersen/Kelsey Lenhart (AL) def. Tiffany Hoesing/ Betsy Ettinger 6-2, 6-1

No. 2 Lynzee Underdahl/ Kaitlynn Larson (AL) won by forfeit

No. 3 Laura Piper/Bailey Blickenderfer (AL) won by forfeit

Albert Lea 2, Worthington 1, canceled

Singles

No. 1 Michelle Hartmann (AL) def. Kate Lesnar 6-1, 6-0

No. 4 Kristin Sandager (AL) def. Kristen Aljets 6-1, 6-3

Doubles

No. 3 Brianna Kempena/ Ashley Jansma def. Laura Piper/Bailey Blickenderfer 6-2, 6-2