By Becky Walz,
The Decorah boys’ tennis team had been wishing for stiffer competition. They got it late last week as the team faced Mason City and Schaeffer Academy, falling to Mason City and surviving the latter.
Saturday the Vikes squared off the Mason City, dropping by an 8-1 tally.
“Mason City is a very solid squad from a large school class. Our guys really battled hard. Caden Branum and Daniel Skrade came very close in singles, while Brendan Hunter and Edwin Holyoake made things interesting in the second set at No. 3 doubles. The match of the day came at No. 2 doubles where Daniel and Noah Tapscott played for the Viking’s pride and produced outstanding back and forth tennis to prevail 2-6, 6-4, TB (14-12),” said Coach Reg Laursen.
After a break Decorah played Shaeffer Academy from Rochester, narrowly came away with a 5-4 victory.
“Because of the temperature we had to make some adjustments to the lineup. As you can see by the scores, most of the matches were very close. Gabe Anderson, Edwin Holyoake and Landon Baker won close matches, each of which included a tie-breaker. After singles we were tied 3-3 and just needed to win two out of three doubles matches. Daniel and Noah continued their heroics of the day and won at No. 2 doubles, while Landon played the match of his life joining Gabe at No. 1 doubles where they played loose, solid tennis,” said Coach Laursen.
“I can’t say enough about how hard these guys competed in very windy, hot conditions. There is little that helps you get better more than playing strong competition. The guys are now really looking forward to competing at the Conference Tournament that has been moved from Monday, May 3 to Wednesday (May 5). because of the potential for wet weather.
Mason City
Singles: No. 1 Gabe Anderson (D) was defeated by James Matthews (3-6, 2-6); No. 2 Caden Branum (D) was defeated by Caden Rodning (6-4, 2-6, TB (3-10)); No. 3 Daniel Skrade (D) was defeated by Reed Druger (5-7, 4-6); No. 4 Brendan Hunter (D) was defeated by Justin Yarahmadi (0-6, 2-6); No. 5 Edwin Holyoake (D) was defeated by Zach Mulholland (3-6, 0-6); No. 6 Landon Baker (D) was defeated by Lane Kruger (3-6, 0-6)
Doubles: No. 1 Anderson/Branum (D) was defeated by Matthews/Rodning (0-6, 2-6); No. 2 Skrade/Noah Tapscott (D) defeated R. Kruger/Yarahmadi (2-6, 6-4, TB (14-12)); No. 3 Hunter/Holyoake (D) was defeated by Mulholland/Jackson Wickman (1-6, 5-7)
Shaeffer Academy
Singles: No. 1 Gabe Anderson (D) defeated Brady Zimmerman (6-4, 2-6, TB (10-4)); No. 2 Caden Branum (D) was defeated by Pierre O’Driscoll (4-6, 2-6); No. 3 Brendan Hunter (D) was defeated by Luke Bothun (0-6, 2-6); No. 4 Edwin Holyoake (D) defeated Annie Orvis (6-2, 7-6 TB (7-5)); No. 5 Luke Walter (D) was defeated by Faith Monson (3-6, 4-6); No. 6 Landon Baker (D) defeated Asher Morrison (7-6 TB (7-5), 6-3))
Doubles: No. 1Anderson/Baker (D) defeated Zimmerman/Monson (6-2, 6-3); No. 2 Daniel Skrade/ Noah Tapscott (D) defeated Botham/Orvis (6-4, 6-4); No. 3 Hunter/Holyoake (D) was defeated by O’Driscoll/Adam Rector (1-6, 3-6)
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