10/31/2009 6:55:02 AM

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By Pat Ruff

Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN 

MINNEAPOLIS -- That was indisputable progress shown by Kelsey Frechette.

And by next season? Rochester Century girls tennis coach Scott Boyer says that his prized sophomore might just evolve into the state's best player.

	At a glance What happened: Century's Kelsey Frechette fell to No. 1-ranked defending state champion Aria Lambert of Minnetonka 6-3, 6-3 in the Class AA state finals Friday. Despite the loss, Frechette showed considerable progress from a year ago. What's next: That wrapped up the girls tennis season.

Frechette showed Friday in the state Class AA championship at the University of Minnesota's Baseline Tennis Center that's she's not far from the top right now. The tall, slender sophomore gave No. 1-ranked and defending state champion Aria Lambert one of her best tests of the season, before falling 6-3, 6-3 to the Minnetonka junior.

Frechette and Lambert met in the semifinals a year ago. That one wasn't interesting, with Frechette getting leveled 6-0, 6-2.

"I got (whipped) last year," Frechette said. "It wasn't even close. This year, I'm proud that I at least made it close."

Frechette made it close and made Lambert flinch, something likely no other player in Minnesota has been able to do this season. In facing Lambert, Frechette was taking on a powerful and masterfully consistent player who's been unbeaten since falling in the state finals two years ago. Lambert finished off this season not only going unbeaten, but having never even lost a set.

She maintained that against Frechette. But what she didn't completely maintain was her composure. Regarded as not only the best player in the state, but the most mentally strong, she cracked slightly against No. 3-ranked Frechette, who's also renowned for her mental strength.

"Aria rarely shows emotion or frustration," Boyer said. "But Kelsey was getting to her a little bit."

Frechette's best moments came in the second set. That's when she went from down 4-1, to stringing together consecutive game wins, including breaking Lambert's serve. That made it 4-3 and momentarily had Lambert in a mini huff, tossing one racquet to the side in favor of a different one.

"I was a little bit surprised at how close (Frechette) made it," said Lambert, who is unwaveringly consistent with her strokes, which also happens to be Frechette's strength.

"(Frechette) had the right strategy against me," Lambert said. "She would hit that looping forehand, and then mix in drop shots. She kept moving me forward."

In the end, though, it wasn't enough. Not against someone this seasoned and sure.

"She doesn't miss much," said Frechette, who toppled Maple Grove's Patty Zhao 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals. "But I'm really proud of what I was able to accomplish this season. My goal was to get to the finals, and I did that."

Now, Boyer is hoping -- make that expecting -- that Frechette will make another jump leading up to next high school season. He said she made a big one this past year. If she can do that again, Lambert might really have a contender on her hands for the 2010 title.

"I really believe that Kelsey has a chance to come in as the favorite next year," Boyer said.

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