Switching up the doubles lineup paid off for the St. Joseph girls tennis team in Monday’s WIAA Division-2 subsectional at Racine Praire.

The Lancers finished in a tie for first place in the nine-team meet with Racine Prairie with 20 points. Racine St. Catherine’s was third with 14.

St. Joseph qualified in five of seven flights for Thursday’s sectional at the Pleasant Valley Tennis Club in Jackson.

“We did a switch with the No. 1 team and No. 2 team from the regular season and it really worked out,” said St. Joseph coach Gail Bedore, who praised the work of assistant coach Stacy Raduechel.

At No. 1 doubles, freshmen Alaina Anderson and Megan Irving won their only match in straight sets, while Kristen Kalinka and Kelcy Owens won both of their matches at No. 2 doubles. In their second match, Kalinka and Owens defeated Abby Fiegel and Allie Tollaksen of Racine Prairie, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

“Alaina and Megan played at No. 1 and proved that they belonged there today,” Bedore said. “As freshmen, they stepped up their level of play and confidence to get a great win. Kelcy and Kristen dug in right away. Beating Racine Prairie in the final match of the day was huge.”

St. Joseph also found success in singles as Amanda Dick (No. 1), Gina Matteucci (No. 2) and Bridget O’Toole (No. 4) all qualified for the sectional.

Dick won her only matches in straight sets, while Matteucci and O’Toole cruised to a pair of straight-set victories.

Claire Skuble (No. 3 singles) and Kendall Bonnin and Michelle Pierce (No. 3 doubles) went 1-1 and did not qualify.

Compiled by Andrew Horschak