Staff photo by Travis Rosenau New Ulm’s Avah Kruse returns the ball in a No. 4 singles match against Fairmont on Monday at New Ulm High School.

NEW ULM — The New Ulm Eagles girls tennis team had its bright spots early on in Monday’s Big South Conference meet against the Fairmont Cardinals, but the Cardinals recovered well and controlled things from there out as they flew by the Eagles 6-1 win New Ulm High School.

New Ulm’s No. 3 singles player Lilly Kral played with an early lead in the first set against Carly Gustafson, but Gustafson was able to fight back and take a two-set victory 7-5, 7-5. The Eagles’ No. 1 doubles team of Kaylee Evans and Everly Batt also had a quick lead in their first set against Madisyn Peyman and Ella Wubbena before dropping it late 6-4 and then falling in the second set 6-2.

One bright spot that shined throughout her matchup for New Ulm, however, was No. 4 singles player and sophomore Avah Kruse. Kruse ended up defeating Belinda Lutterman 6-0, 6-3.

“My forehands [were key],” Kruse said. “They’ve just gotten super strong this year compared to where the started.”

Kruse, who also won her No. 4 singles bracket at a home invite a week ago on Sept. 6, said she’s getting used to her spot on varsity more from the beginning of the year.

“For sure a lot more comfortable,” Kruse said. “I thought I would be wanting to do doubles more, but now that I’ve played more singles, I like this, getting used to it, for sure.”

At No. 1 singles, Emelia Klanderud defeated Carmen Schotzko 6-3, 6-0, while Alisona Slama was the first player to end her match with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Natalie Fischer.

At No. 2 doubles, Katherine Zelaya and Addison Toothaker defeated Lydia Osborne and Maggie Joyce 6-1, 6-2, while Cadleigh Jobe and Ada Edmundson earned a competitive 6-3, 6-4 win over Brielle Evans and Eleanor Grathwohl.

The Eagles host St. Peter at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in another Big South battle.