By Becky Walz,

For the fifth time, the Decorah boys’ tennis team won the conference title Monday. Members of the winning squad were (l-r) Caden Branum, Liam Chamberlain, Keaton Nalean-Carlson, Caleb Krieg, Tristan Hunter and Seth Bolson. (submitted photo)
Since the beginning of the North Central Conference tennis meet five years ago, no other team besides seventh-ranked Decorah has taken the title as the Vikings dominated the courts in Grinnell Monday.
With 48 points, Decorah edged No. 5 Waverly-Shell Rock for the conference title, to go with the crowning two singles and one doubles team champions.
It was a flighted tourney where teams could enter one player or doubles team, respectively, in the A or B flight bracket. Decorah was missing it’s No. 3 player, which made the goal of winning a little harder.
In Flight 1 singles, senior Caden Branum won the title and was voted Most Valuable Conference Player of the year.
“Caden continues to lead this team and impress coaches and fans alike,” noted Coach Matt Anderson.
Liam Chamberlain won Flight B singles and is playing his best tennis of the season, according to the Viking coach.
Keaton Nalean-Carlson and Caleb Krieg, a junior new to the lineup and filling in for the Vikings’ missing player, represented Decorah in Flight A doubles, finishing third.
“I challenged this team to finish third, knowing those points would be critical, and they delivered. Flight A doubles was the toughest group of the day as it turns out, with most top teams sending their top players into doubles,” added Coach Anderson.
In Flight B doubles, Tristan Hunter and Seth Bolson came up with the most improbable result of the day, winning it all.
“I thought we could play great and get a second place if everything fell into place, but the boys had other thoughts, and their semifinal win against Waverly-Shell Rock set the table for the team to win. I have to mention the growth of freshman Tristan (Hunter) over the last three weeks, as he took over the final match with consistent hard hitting play. Being a player down and already having lost to W-SR once this year, we knew winning would be tough, but this is one the most fun and memorable days of tennis I’ve had in the last three years of successes,” the coach concluded.
NCC team scores
1. Decorah 48; 2. Waverly-Shell Rock 44; 3. Marion 38; 4. Osage 24; 5. Grinnell 16; 5. Independence 16; 7. South Tama 12
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