The Hastings Raiders girls tennis team wrapped up their season last week with a spirited showing at the Section 3AA Team Tournament, facing a tough Eastview squad on September 30. Despite falling 5–2 in the quarterfinal matchup, the Raiders played with grit and composure, closing out a season that showed steady progress under head coach Marissa Welch.
The match, held at Eastview High School, opened with several competitive singles flights that set the tone for the day. Senior leaders Brooklyn Keller and Reese Keller each earned convincing wins for Hastings, showing the experience and consistency that have anchored the team all fall. Brooklyn handled Eastview’s Sai Gajjela 6–1, 6–0, keeping rallies short and dictating play from the first serve. Her sister Reese followed with another strong performance, defeating Charlene Xu 6–1, 6–1, relying on steady baseline play and a reliable serve to secure the Raiders’ second team point.
Those victories gave Hastings early energy, but Eastview’s depth soon tilted the match. On the remaining singles courts, Evy Hogan and Wills Nelson faced tough competition from Eastview’s Evelyn Clark and Tulika Gurram. Both matches went to the Lightning in straight sets, as Eastview evened the overall score at two apiece.
Doubles play, as it often does in postseason tennis, proved decisive. Hastings senior pair Natalie Brown and Abby Boentje battled hard at first doubles against Eastview’s Sophia Johnson and Emery Hedeen, but the hosts took control late in each set to win 6–1, 6–3. The second doubles team of Kaatje DeGrote and Molly Brown, both sophomores, faced a seasoned Eastview tandem and fell 6–0, 6–0. At third doubles, juniors Ellery Wilbur and Abby Davis took on Annie Majeski and Nolee Kochendorfer, and though the Raiders fought for every game, Eastview prevailed 6–0, 6–1 to clinch the team victory.
The final score of 5–2 doesn’t fully reflect how competitive many of the matches were, or how composed Hastings remained under postseason pressure. Coach Welch praised her team’s focus throughout the day, noting the steady leadership of her seniors and the poise of younger players stepping into bigger roles.
The defeat ends the Raiders’ run in the team portion of the section tournament, but individual section play remains ahead for several players who have been consistent performers all year. For the seniors, including the Keller sisters, Brooklyn and Reese, along with Natalie Brown and Abby Boentje, the match marked the conclusion of standout high school careers that helped shape the program’s identity over the past four seasons.
While Eastview advanced in the bracket, Hastings leaves the 2025 season with clear signs of progress. The Raiders improved their singles depth and gained valuable match experience throughout the fall, with several underclassmen developing into key contributors.
Even with the team season ending earlier than hoped, the team’s growth has been evident to anyone following their journey. The Raiders combined experience and emerging talent to stay competitive in a strong conference, and their camaraderie carried through every meet. With a solid core returning and valuable postseason experience now under their belts, the Raiders are positioned well for the seasons ahead.
The coaching staff turns their attention to the singles and doubles section tournament that begins October 9 at the Baseline Tennis Center at the University of Minnesota.