A season spent competing individually will end on Minnesota high school tennis’s biggest stage—together.
Waseca High School’s Ava Miller and Hannah Rugger are headed to State after an impressive run through the Section 1A Girls Tennis Individual Tournament, earning a spot in the 2026 MSHSL Class A Girls Tennis Individual Championships.
For most of the 2026 season, Miller and Rugger were fixtures near the top of the Bluejays’ singles lineup. Rugger battled her way to a 13-11 record at No. 1 singles, while Miller turned in an outstanding 18-6 record at No. 2 singles.
When the postseason arrived, the two Bluejays joined forces as doubles partners—and the combination quickly proved to be a winning one.
Entering the Section 1A Individual Tournament as the No. 3 seed, Miller and Rugger opened postseason play with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Malena Mandelkow and Miranda Mandelkow of Cannon Falls.
They were even more dominant in the quarterfinals, sweeping Marie Noser and Ali Welch of Rochester Lourdes 6-0, 6-0 to advance to the section semifinals.
Miller and Rugger returned to the Rochester Athletic Club on Monday with a trip to the state tournament on the line. Facing Stella Brewer and Adela Koliskova of Cotter, the Waseca duo delivered when it mattered most, earning a 6-3, 6-2 semifinal victory and officially punching their ticket to State.
In the Section 1A championship match, Miller and Rugger faced the formidable Lake City duo of Therese Bauer and Rylee Thieren. Bauer and Thieren captured their third consecutive Section 1A doubles championship with a 6-2, 6-3 victory, giving Miller and Rugger the Section 1A runner-up finish.
Now, Miller and Rugger will take their postseason partnership to Minneapolis and represent Waseca High School on the state stage.
The 2026 MSHSL Class A Girls Tennis Individual Championships will be held at InnerCity Tennis, 4005 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55409.
State Tournament Schedule
Thursday, October 29
First Round — 10:00 a.m.
Quarterfinals — 2:00 p.m.
Consolation First Round — 2:00 p.m.
Friday, October 30
Semifinals — 8:00 a.m.
Consolation Semifinals — 8:00 a.m.
Third Place & Championship — 11:30 a.m.
Consolation Championship — 11:30 a.m.
From competing individually throughout the regular season to becoming one of the top doubles teams in Section 1A, Miller and Rugger have made the most of their opportunity together. Their postseason run will now continue against the best Class A doubles teams in Minnesota.
Congratulations to Ava and Hannah on an outstanding accomplishment, and best of luck at State!