By Becky Walz,
Utilizing an expanded line-up, the Decorah boys’ tennis team played a feisty Viroqua team in the second to last match of the season Saturday, winning 8-1. The Vikes were back on the road Monday at Onalaska to wrap up the regular season with a 6-1 loss.
Regular season concludes
Monday afternoon the Vikings traveled to Onalaska for the final dual meet of this season and came away with what looked like a thumping, 6-1
“Unfortunately, we have to play the Wisconsin format of four singles and three doubles when we play there, and we loaded a lot of our fire power into doubles in preparation for district play. Even the opposing coach stated it would have been a lot different if we had played Iowa rules where players can play both singles and doubles. The guys fought hard and came close in many instances,” said Coach Reg Laursen. “This was a good tune up for District play and hopefully we are better for the experience.”
In singles action, Daniel Skrade dropped his No. 1 match to Cal Schmit 2-6 and 3-6. At No. 2, Noah Tapscott fell 3-6 and 5-7 to Aiden Sommerfield, while Luke Walter was defeated in a pair of 4-6 sets to Max Klein at No. 3. On the court at No. 4 was Michael Njus for Decorah, losing the match by 4-6 and 2-6 sets.
Gabe Anderson/Caden Branum picked up the lone win for the Vikings in the No. 1 doubles match 6-2 and 6-2. Brendan Hunter/Edwin Holyoake forced a tie breaker at No. 2 doubles, dropping the match 4-6, 7-5, TB(6-10). At No. 3 it was Aidan Nalean-Carlson/Brady Brauer defeated 6-3, 3-6, TB(5-7).
“I thought the singles guys played tough. Noah Tapscott played by far the best singles of his life. Gabe Anderson and Caden Branum were dominant in their match while the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles guys just barely lost in tough tie breakers,” concluded Coach Laursen.
The JV played even winning three and losing four matches.
Saturday review
“Daniel Skrade had a good match at No. 1 singles. When he hits flatter, more penetrating shots he is good. His opponent tried to keep him off balance, but Daniel got stronger as the match went on. We hope that Daniel can get a seed at Districts,” said Coach Laursen. “Brendan Hunter and Edwin Holyoake have made great strides this season and are playing with much more confidence than earlier in the season. Luke Walter has had good ground strokes for some time but in this match, he used good smarts as well. Noah Tapscott has used the confidence gained from his doubles play to play the best singles of his career, keeping the pressure on his opponent the whole match. Grady Brauer got off to a great start. Then his opponent adjusted to take the second set. To his credit Grady used good shot selection to win the tie-breaker going away.”
In JV action Luke Walter, Grady Brauer, Noah Lovelace, Wyatt Hackman, Carter Kowitz, Seth Thompson, Adam Walter, Thomas Foster, Kolten Gossman, Gabriel Hiner, Lucas Arendt and William Wedl had a record of four wins, four losses and one tie.
Singles: No. 1 Daniel Skrade (Dec) defeated Ben Gillan (V) 6-4, 6-4; No. 2 Brendan Hunter (Dec) defeated Eric Jerdee (V) 6-2, 6-2; No. 3 Edwin Holyoake (Dec) defeated Dalton Buros (V) 6-2, 6-1; No. 4 Luke Walter (Dec) defeated Ethan Tubbin (V) 6-3, 6-2; No. 5 Noah Tapscott (Dec) defeated Garry Mishler (V) 6-1, 6-0; No. 6 Grady Brauer (Dec) defeated Blaine Conaway (V) 6-1, 3-6, TB(10-5)
Doubles: No. 1 Gabe Anderson/Caden Branum (Dec) defeated Gillan/Buros (V) 6-1, 6-2; No. 2 Skrade/Tapscott (Dec) defeated Jerdee/ Henry Roels (V) 6-1, 6-1; No. 3 Michael Njus/Nolan Jacobsen (Dec) was defeated by Mishler/Conaway (V) 6-7 TB(8-10)
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