Zelenina twins spark Eagan tennis program

As tennis players, Eagan freshman twins Varvara and Elizaveta Zelenina held their own as the Nos. 2 and 3 singles players in the Wildcats lineup. Each ran up winning streaks of more than 20 matches this year.

As sisters, they get along as you might expect sisters to, quarrelling some, getting along more.

The same holds true when the two pair up as doubles partners.

The Zelenina girls, whose family are Russian immigrants, played well enough to advance to the Class 2A state doubles tournament last week.

They lost a tough 7-5, 6-4 match in the opening round, then rebounded in the consolation bracket before eventually bowing out early on Day 2.

"They played well together," Eagan coach Scott Nichols said. "They had some really good chances."

But as you can imagine, there's some friction there, too.

"Overall, it's good and bad having them together," Nichols said with a laugh. "As our junior varsity coach said, I don't know how it is in Russia, but I'm pretty sure rolling your eyes doesn't mean 'great shot,'"

Nichols expects come next season the two will split up again for the regular season schedule, then pair up for the playoffs.

It worked well this year. Eagan finished second in the Lake Conference and was the No. 1 seed in the section tournament before being upset by Rosemount.

"I think they could make another run at it," Nichols said.

When Minnesota-Duluth and Winona State face each other Saturday, the football game will feature a pair of former Lake Conference stars.

Bulldogs freshman Chase Vogler, who last year led Rosemount to the Class 5A state semifinals with 19 touchdown throws, enters Saturday's game with 1,183 yards passing and nine touchdowns.

For the Warriors, freshman Derrick Engel, who led Chaska last season with 636 yards receiving and nine touchdowns, has caught 24 passes for 642 yards and five scores.

Brian Stensaas • 612-673-4127