Pugh falls in first round

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Writer

BLOOMINGTON -- Tenth-ranked Jenny Pugh did not advance past the first round of the tennis state tournament Friday morning, but there's always next year -- and the year after -- for the New Ulm High School sophomore.

Pugh lost to #11 Erin Humphrey of Mounds View in two sets (6-2 and 6-4).

Not necessarily concentrating on winning, Pugh had gone into the match just wanting to play some good tennis at the state tournament.

"I think Jenny knew in the back of her mind that she wanted to win though," said her mother, Lori Pugh.

Pugh started off slowly in the first set, losing the first five straight before having a long talk between games with her coach, Pat Reedy. The talk seemed to help, Pugh coming back to take the next two before losing the set 2-6.

According to Pugh, Reedy simply gave her his support between games. "We just talked about being positive and enjoying it," she said. "[Reedy] is a great coach and friend."

Play picked up in the second set, Pugh finding more of a groove, while Humphrey had some problems with her serve. Pugh assured her early 2-1 game lead with some well-placed shots down the lines, just out of reach of her opponent.

"This girl just didn't make many mistakes," said Reedy. "She made a few serving, but that was about it."

Humphrey then took the lead, but Pugh stayed with her, game for game. Both girls had some well-placed hits and tried to play up at the net, but Pugh was forced to play baseline more than she normally would.

Humphrey finished it off, taking the last two games of set two to win it 6-4.

"I was just not playing my best," said Pugh with tears in her eyes. "Like everybody keeps saying, there's always next year."

Now that her extended tennis season is done, Pugh plans to work on her forehand top spin. Her goal -- to perfect that, and hopefully try it out at state.