High school athletes of the week - Halie Karlen, Lauren Jorda

Halie Karlen and Lauren Jorda, juniors on the Dickinson High girls tennis team, earned victories in singles and doubles action against Baker High School (Mont.) on Saturday, April 14 from the West River Community Center. Karlen defeated the Spartans' No. 1 Tesla Erickson 8-3. After missing the entire 2017 season, Jorda outlasted No. 2 Madison Moore 8-3. The duo joined forces to pick up an 8-4 doubles victory over Moore and Sheyanna Janeway.

DP: How long have you been playing tennis for?

HK: "I started in seventh grade."

LJ: "I played parks and rec when I was really young and then I started playing competitively in seventh grade."

DP: What do you enjoy about it?

LJ: "I enjoy being able to control the pace and work on yourself."

HK: "I like how it's individual and you can progress on your own."

LJ: "You don't have to depend on your team."

DP: What are your team goals for the rest of the year?

LJ: "I'd probably say just getting better. We have a really young team so anything, any wins or any boosts of confidence really helps."

HK: "Staying as a team together, progressing, having a good time."

DP: Do you have any individual goals you want to achieve this year?

HK: "(Being) more consistent for me. My backhand isn't as consistent as it should be and I can always improve."

LJ: "Hopefully, I'd like to make it to state, but we'll see."

DP: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

LJ: "I'm gonna say tacos."

HK: "I like noodles. All sorts of noodles."

DP: What's the last show you binged on Netflix?

HK: "I just watched all of Friends in like two weeks."

LJ: "I finished Grey's Anatomy in like three months, I think."

DP: What has been your biggest inspiration to succeed?

LJ: "My sister. She works really hard at everything and she played volleyball and tennis also. She works with me individually and comes and plays and she's going to med school and I want to follow in her footsteps."

HK: "My father's always been there for me and helps with all the sports I used to do and this one too. He always pushes me to do my best and he's just awesome."

1/2: DHS junior Haile Karlen races toward the net during her singles match against Baker on Saturday, April 14 from the West River Community Center. (Patrick Bernadeau/The Dickinson Press)

2/2: Midgets junior Lauren Jorda begins her serve during a doubles match against Baker (Mont.) on Saturday, April 14 from the West River Community Center. (Patrick Bernadeau/The Dickinson Press)