MINNEAPOLIS - As usual, Steve Paulsen finished on a high note.
The legendary and beloved girls' tennis coach at Edina High School coached his Hornets to a 23rd state championship on Wednesday after they defeated Minnetonka on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The victory marks the the final chapter in Paulsen's storied career, as he intends to retire after three decades on the job.
"The journey still would have been good, but it's a lot sweeter that we won the tournament," Paulsen said after the match. "I'll look back and savor this for a long time, certainly."
With dozens of former players and parents watching from the stands, Paulsen stayed even-keeled throughout the tight match with Minnetonka. He embraced many of this players with hugs after it became apparent Edina had won the best-of-seven; when the team officially clinched victory, Paulsen smiled and clapped softly as his players mobbed each other on the far end of the tennis court.
"It's the culmination of a lot of hard work for a lot of hard people," Paulsen said. "It takes a village, as they say."
And this Edina village certainly appreciates his impact, which is unrivaled in Minnesota girls tennis. Paulsen has won more than 600 games and earned 23 state titles in his 28 seasons as the head coach at Edina High.
"Steve has just been amazing," said Rob Copeland, the father of senior Nicole Copeland. "He is such a calming, strong influence on all these girls and they just play so well for him."
But, as most are quick to point out, with Steve Paulsen it's about more than just the sheer victories.
"It's about the sport and the love of the game and the team atmosphere," parent Casey Hankinson said. "He'll be sadly missed, not only as a coach but as a friend and mentor."
Paulsen's daughter, Alyssa, also attended the match. She's been watching her father's teams as long as she's been able to walk.
"It's been really fun to watch him have such a positive impact," she said, "on so many girls over the years."
That includes recent graduate Katie Engelking.
"There's really no words," she said, "to describe the impact he's had on our community."