BLOOMINGTON — She’s only a sophomore.
Mankato East’s Sam Williams reached the 2025 Class AA state championship match Friday. The No. 1 Ranked player in Class AA fell 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2) to Academy of Holy Angels’ Elizabeth Payne.
Williams finishes the season with an individual record of 32-3.
“It was really exciting for me to make it to state as a sophomore and do so well in the state tournament,” Williams said. “Hopefully I can get the win in the end next year. I just want to grow my game, do better against different styles of other players and hopefully just get that win at the end.”
In the semifinal round Sam Williams bested Madeline Bergerson from Hill Murray 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
“(Bergseron) played really well. I can’t imagine (Bergerson) playing a better match than that,” Cougars coach Paul Williams said. “Kudos to them. Sam had to really tough that one out. Very difficult match in the semifinals.”
Today’s action was the final day of the 2025 season for the Cougars girl’s tennis program. Not only did East see Sam reach the state championship match, but the program completed its first-ever 20-win campaign and played for its first sectional championship earlier this month, falling to St. Peter.
“This is a huge step for the program,” Paul said.