The Hermantown girls tennis team wrapped up its season last week, closing a year of steady growth with a playoff loss to Hibbing.
“It was a fantastic time on the court with the team,” veteran Hawks coach Jessica Worden said of the 2025 season.
The Hawks battled to the end in the team section playoffs, but Hibbing advanced. Even in defeat, Worden said her players competed with grit and left everything on the court.
“We ended up losing to Hibbing, but battled hard,” she said.
A bright spot late in the year was the opportunity to give younger players more varsity experience, which Worden noted will be invaluable down the road.
“We were able to play some younger players late in the season which was positive in them gaining experience for the upcoming year,” she said.
The Hawks also had several individuals advance to Cloquet for section singles and doubles play on the final Thursday of the season. Worden said that day showed the team’s determination, even in its final matches of 2025.
“Our individuals battled hard in Cloquet,” she said.
Senior captains Evie Sullivan and Rylee Kalkbrenner capped their remarkable careers by teaming up in doubles. Worden said their leadership and effort set the tone for the program this fall.
“Evie and Rylee ended their seasons with a fabulous final match,” she said.
Their departure will leave an opening in the lineup, but the rest of the Hermantown roster is expected back next fall. That continuity, combined with the progress this year, gives the Hawks confidence that even better days are ahead.
“The improvements we made on the court this year make us really excited to continue and grow to compete next year,” Worden said.
For Worden, the season’s major highlight was seeing her team improve together — seniors closing out strong careers and underclassmen showing glimpses of what’s next.
“It was a fantastic time on the court with the team,” she said.