Albert Lea girls’ tennis head coach Sean Gillam likes to use the phrase “two and two,” meaning his team needs to get two wins at singles and two wins from doubles. The Tigers got two wins at singles, but weren’t able to find two at doubles in a 5-2 loss to Mankato West Thursday in Albert Lea.

“One of those days we had some good matches and some matches where we struggled a little bit,” Gillam said. “We’ve got to tighten up what we do at one and three doubles and we’ve got to keep fighting at one and two singles to try to get those wins. Those are tough spots, but we know we have the players to get it done.”

Jenna Sager and Michelle Hartmann provided the wins for the Tigers (5-4) at three and four singles. Sager came back from down a set for a three-set win at four singles and Hartmann held off McKenzie Kiethley 7-5, 6-3.

Amy Bohlen and Kellsie Dieser were able to take a set from West’s Chelsea Mielke and Katie Goetl but that would be it as Mielke and Goetl won 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-1 at two doubles.

Albert Lea travels to Waseca Saturday.

Mankato West 5, Albert Lea 2

Singles

No. 1 Heather Sullivan (MW) def. Taylor Nelson 6-0, 6-3

No. 2 Laura Wilodson (MW) def. Sarah Wenum 6-3, 6-2

No. 3 Michelle Hartmann (AL) def. McKenzie Kiethley 7-5, 6-3

No. 4 Jenna Sager (AL) def. Alaina Nuehring 6-7 (6-8) 7-5, 6-3

Doubles

No. 1 Sarah Miller/Katie Sonnebend (MW) def. Mikaela Pierson/Erika Blickenderfer 6-2, 6-2

No. 2 Chelsea Mielke/Katie Goetl (MW) def. Amy Bohlen/Kellsie Dieser 7-6 (8-6) 2-6, 6-1

No. 3 Miranda Wynkoop/Erin Traxler (MW) def. Kayla Hartmann/Zoey Hill 6-0, 6-1