By Becky Walz,
The Decorah boys’ tennis team was put to the test last week at the district competition, hosted by Waverly-Shell Rock. The Vikings finished second in team standings out of eight squads and qualified one doubles team. Finishing and automatically qualifying for the team substate competition was Aplington-Parkersburg. Looking to be the second district representative in the substate team competition, Decorah hosted Columbus Saturday, defeating the Sailors 5-3.
Wednesday’s district
In round one, Noah Tapscott defeated Union’s Sterling Mullan 6-0 and 6-1, while Daniel Skrade bested Sam Klein of Union in a pair of 6-0 sets. In doubles action it was Edwin Holyoake and Brendan Hunter shutting out Martin/Ryan of Union in 6-0 sets. Gabe Anderson and Caden Branum joined forces to down Kelley/Pugh of Waverly-Shell Rock 6-0 and 6-0.
Facing top seeded Cameron Luhring in round two, Tapscott fell 0-6 and 0-6. In two 6-0 sets, Skrade defeated Jordan Cady of Hampton-Dumont. Holyoake/Hunter met the No. 1 seed duo of Dobson/Haag of Columbus and ended the match with 0-6 and 0-6 losses. Anderson/Branum combined for 6-2 and 6-1 wins over Aplington-Parkersburg duo Lupbis/Cahson.
“It was very unfortunate that Noah and Edwin/Brendan had to play the No. 1 seeds in the second round. They would have been able to defeat a majority of the other competitors in their division,” said Coach Reg Laursen
“In the third round Daniel was defeated by human back board Owen Thomas of Aplington-Parkersburg 4-6, 6-1 and 3-6. Daniel got a slow start then played a very good strategic match the rest of the way but ultimately was defeated in this war of attrition. He played his best singles of the season in this match.
Anderson/Branum defeated the No. 2 Columbus doubles team of Feldmann/Bouser 6-1, 4-6 and 6-3. This match featured many momentum switches. In the final set Gabe and Caden were down 0-3 before rallying to win the last six games in a highly charged contest.
Skrade defeated Isaac Becker 6-2 and 6-1 in an efficient manner capping off the day earning the third-place medal after round four.
Anderson/Branum defeated the No. 1 seeded Columbus Dobson/Haag 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 TB(7-3) in a very emotional match which once again featured numerous momentum changes.
Vying for substate
Back on the courts Saturday, Decorah hosted Waterloo Columbus to determine the second-place finisher in the team district competition, with the Vikes coming out on top.
In the second dual between these two teams in eight days, it promised to be a tightly contested match which was born out by the play.
“Most of the singles matches were very tight. Every member of the lineup fought with great tenacity. Edwin Holyoake and Noah Tapscott repeated their wins from the first meeting. Daniel Skrade gets the award for the most improved over the last meeting, while Caden Branum gets the singles MVP award for playing the best singles match of his career, using high percentage attacking tennis,” said Coach Laursen.
In doubles Brendan Hunter and Edwin started things off right, never giving their opponents much
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