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Hermantown has started the girls tennis season with two victories, including its first against Princeton, as three senior captains lead a program replacing a large graduating class while maintaining expectations in Section 7AA.
The Hawks defeated Duluth Marshall and Princeton to open the 2026 season, establishing early momentum behind senior singles player Alee DeVlieger and the undefeated No. 1 doubles team of Jillian Ritsche and Chloe Gustafson.
“We are off to a fabulous start this season,” coach Jessica Worden said. “This is our first win over Princeton, so that's uplighting for the team.”
The Princeton victory also represents an early breakthrough for a program that entered last season with a senior-heavy roster. Hermantown’s 2025 team included senior captains Rylee Kalkbrenner, Sophia Piede and Evie Sullivan and followed a 2024 season in which the Hawks posted a winning record and advanced in the section tournament.
DeVlieger, Ritsche and Gustafson are responsible for providing similar leadership this fall. DeVlieger opens the season at the top of the singles lineup, while Ritsche and Gustafson have given Hermantown a reliable combination at No. 1 doubles.
“We have three senior captains who will lead the team, including Alee DeVliger, who will lead us in singles to start the season, and Jillian Ritsche and Chloe Gustafson paired together at No. 1 doubles,” Worden said. “Jillian and Chloe are undefeated at No. 1 doubles so far.”
Worden identified Nevie Homich as another important player at No. 2 singles. DeVlieger and Homich give the Hawks returning postseason experience near the top of their lineup.
“Nevie is reaching new heights each day and every match,” Worden said.
Hermantown’s schedule includes a Friday match against St. Francis at the Laura MacArthur Elementary courts. Worden described St. Francis as a difficult early-season opponent capable of testing the Hawks’ unbeaten start.
“St. Francis will be a tough opponents,” she said.
The Hawks open September with three road dates in three days, playing at Grand Rapids on Sept. 1, Rock Ridge on Sept. 2 and Duluth Denfeld on Sept. 3. That stretch precedes home matches against Cloquet on Sept. 8 and Superior on Sept. 10.
Hermantown then faces Stella Maris Academy on Sept. 15 before a Sept. 17 rematch against Duluth Marshall. Duluth Denfeld visits Sept. 22, and the Hawks travel to Cloquet the following day.
The regular-season schedule concludes with road matches against Hibbing on Sept. 28 and Superior on Oct. 1, leaving Hermantown with several opportunities to measure its progress against familiar regional opponents before postseason play.
The Hawks also continue to draw substantial participation beyond the varsity lineup, providing depth for the current season and a development pipeline for future teams.
“Overall we have a large jv and varsity team again this year and are fortunate enough to also have a middle school program,” Worden said. “We look forward to a fabulous fall and Go Hawks!”
