Boys’ state bid comes up short

By Becky Walz,

The Decorah boys’ tennis team traveled to Waverly-Shell Rock for state team tennis competition.  
Decorah, a district champion, played Marion, a district runner-up in the morning in round of 16 action. With the stakes growing Decorah played inspired tennis and prevailed 5-0, with matches are suspended as soon as one team gets 5 wins.  

The Decorah boys’ tennis team traveled to Waverly-Shell Rock for state team tennis competition.  
Decorah, a district champion, played Marion, a district runner-up in the morning in round of 16 action. With the stakes growing Decorah played inspired tennis and prevailed 5-0, with matches are suspended as soon as one team gets 5 wins.  
With that win, the Vikes set up an afternoon rematch with Dubuque Wahlert in the quarterfinals, who beat Decorah last year in the round of 16. The Vikings had opportunities in all six singles matches, losing many close ones, but sophomore Caden Branum prevailed over a fellow district singles champion. That combined with freshman Liam Chamberlain three-set nail biter forced doubles play to determine the winner. 
Junior Landon Baker with partner and senior Brendan Hunter played their best doubles of the year at No. 2 coming up with a big win.  The No. 3 team of Aidan Nalean-Carlson and Liam Chamberlain were in a close battle when unfortunately, Walhert secured a win at No. 1 to end the meet 5-3 and the season for the Viking team.  
Vikings Caden Branum and Daniel Skrade will compete Tuesday, May 24, at Byrnes Park in Waterloo in the individual tournament.  
“Our goal at the beginning of the year was to make it to the quarterfinals, so it was great to do and push the limits,” said Viking coach Matt Anderson. “The boys competed all year long and are an impressive group.”

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