It lasted just an instant.

Friday, October 08, 1999

It lasted just an instant. It was just one facial expression. But it told the Packers’ story well.

Brooke Gentzler looked positively dumbfounded after she went up for a block against Century – and the ball tipped off her fingers and fell in for a Panthers’ point.

The senior middle hitter had good reason for her reaction, because everything else Gentzler and the Packers did Thursday went so right.

"They didn’t have anybody that could stop her," said Coach Andrea Becker of Gentzler, who finished with a match-high 18 kills, most of which were of the thunder-and-lightening variety. "She was uncontested."

For the Packers (9-9, 2-4 in the Big Nine), "uncontested" was a good thing, having led-off their Big Nine schedule with conference powers like Mankato East, West and Owatonna. In those matches, Austin put up tooth-and-nail fights, but never found a way to win.

Against Century, Austin was finally able to test the driver’s seat by sweeping Century (3-12, 1-5) in front of a homecoming crowd at Packer Gym, 15-3, 15-3, 16-14.

"It was really a helpful match for us," setter Kellie Grimley said. "It picks us up and makes up more positive."

It’s not that the Packers were so down – they’re proud of the program’s shift from conference chump to challenger – but losing for prolonged periods is never good for a team’s psyche, not matter how valiant the fight.

"Playing the teams like Owatonna helps us," outside hitter Lauren Feller said. "Even though they’ve beaten us, we’ve hung strong with them.

"With the five-game matches we’ve had, we’re better mentally and physically. But it’s good for us to win. It gives us something we can feel good about. Coming off losses is a lot harder than coming off a win."

Austin made it look easy in the first two games against Century, before Becker substituted liberally in the third game.

It’s not only the players who appreciated getting back in the win column following a four-match conference slide. The coach was relieved as well.

"It’s just nice for us to know we’re doing things right," Becker said.

On Saturday, the Packers travel to Blue Earth, where they will compete in a eight-team tournament.

In junior varsity action, Austin upped its mark to 16-5 with a 15-13, 11-15, 15-6 win. Senior Jenny Krebsbach "was unconscious at the net," Coach Treasure Ransom said. "She hit well and went up for every block."

Senior Erin Lindgren also earned mention for her stellar serve receive and digging. Finally freshman Theresa Hirsch played well. "I could mention her every time," Ransom said. "She plays solid every time out."

The win followed the Packers’ third-place in last weekend’s junior varsity tournament in Mankato. The B-squad finished third there as well.

Tennis

Austin advances to semis

Playing what Coach Deb Hoyt called "one of our best matches of the year," the Austin girls tennis team beat Lakeville, 6-1, to advance into the semifinals of the Section 1AA tennis tournament.

"The first round win (against Rosemount) really helped our confidence," Hoyt said. "This one gave us an even bigger boost."

The match was played in the Rochester Athletic Club, where the Packers will play John Marshall on Tuesday. JM beat Eastview to adavance. Austin beat JM earlier in the year 5-2.

In the other half of the bracket, top-seeded Mayo will play the winner of Thursday’s Red Wing/Winona match.

Austin 6, Lakeville 1

Singles

No. 1 Laurie Alonso (A) def. Megan Carron 6-4, 6-3.

No. 2 Amy Kelly (A) def. Julia Anderson 6-0, 6-0.

No. 3 Emily Bue (A) def. Kelsey MacGibbon 6-0, 6-0.

No. 4 Clarissa Corvahlo (L) def. Sara Ormseth 6-3, 6-2.

Doubles

No. 1 Mindy Neilon/Chelsea McColley (A) def. Erin Munson/Mara Christianson 6-3, 6-4.

No. 2 Lindy Swedberg/Tiffany Ankeny (A) def. Shannon ellingson/Lara Dole, 6-2, 6-4.

No. 3 Amber Dolphin/Claire Johnson (A) def. Emily Fernside/Alicia Tvedt 6-4, 6-1.