By Becky Walz,
Decorah senior Daniel Skrade went 3-0 to conclude last week in singles matches for the Vikings. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Becky Walz)
Three meets in two days led to some tired legs for the Decorah boys tennis team who competed against Clear Lake Thursday morning, Mason City Thursday afternoon and Aplington-Parkersburg Friday afternoon.
The Vikes prevailed 9-0 against an experienced Clear Lake squad that played numerous very tough sets before Decorah adjusted to the very windy conditions and turned up the pressure.
In the afternoon Decorah to back to Class 2A No.7 Mason City who played Waverly-Shell Rock in the morning. Again, the wind was very tough, but Daniel Skrade led the charge coming out focused and aggressive against an opponent and team that has given him fits in the past, prevailing 6-2 and 6-3. Caden Branum followed his lead winning 6-3, 6-2. Liam Chamberlain and Michael Njus both lost close ones. Doubles was an up and down affair with close matches all around and two three-setters. In the end the team of Branum and Aidan Nalean-Carlson prevailed leaving Decorah with a very close 3-6 team defeat.
“A few points here and there affected these matches and caused momentum swings, but I’m confident this is the type of action that will make us stronger. I told Liam he won’t lose that third set next time after this experience,” said Coach Anderson.
Friday Decorah was back on the court with very short rest, tired legs, sun burnt faces and frankly a bit tired of the wind, traveled to Aplington-Parkersburg for an important meet against a quality Class 1A team which will certainly have effects on future state events. Again, it was windy and hot, but the Vikings fought through it all and prevailed 9-0. Many of the matches were hard fought, close and some went the distance.
No. three Landon Baker injured his right arm, but got it taped and fought out a hard three-setter and then teamed up with Daniel Skrade for an impressive doubles match.
Coach Anderson was impressed with the aggressive play style and willingness to adapt as their opponents tried everything they could to gain control.
“I don’t normally award a player of the day, but in this case, the team and I give kudos to Landon for fighting through an injury, staying positive and leading by example,” said Coach Anderson.
Decorah will be at home today (Tuesday, April 18) versus Winona Senior (Minn.) at 4:30 p.m. The Vikes will play Waverly-Shell Rock and Boone Thursday, April 20, in Waverly at 2 p.m., then go to Winona Senior Friday, April 21, for a 4:30 p.m. meet.
Decorah 9, Clear Lake 0
Singles: No. 1 Caden Branum (Dec) defeated Ben Loge (CL) 6-2, 6-2; No. 2 Daniel Skrade (Dec) defeated Cabot Neuberger (CL) 6-4, 6-1; No. 3 Landon Baker (Dec) defeated Justin Kerr (CL) 6-0, 6-1; No. 4 Liam Chamberlain (Dec) defeated Branden Kuhlmeier (CL) 6-0, 6-0; No. 5 Aidan Nalean-Carlson (Dec) defeated Nick Brcka (CL) 6-3, 6-2; No. 6 Michael Njus (Dec) defeated Levi Reynolds (CL) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles: No. 1 Skrade/Baker (Dec) defeated Loge/Neuberger (CL) 6-2, 6-2; No. 2 Branum/Nalean-Carlson (Dec) defeated Kerr/Kuhlmeier (CL) 6-0, 6-2; No. 3 Chamberlain/Gabriel Hiner (Dec) defeated Brcka/Leif Ludberg (CL) 6-0, 6-0
Decorah 3, Mason City 6
Singles: No. 1 Caden Branum (Dec) defeated Reed Kruger, 6-4, 6-2; No. 3 Landon Baker (Dec) lost to Sander Tompkins (MC) 6-0, 6-1; No. 4 Liam Chamberlain (Dec) lost to Seth VandenBerg (MC) 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-5); No. 5 Aidan Nalean-Carlson (Dec) lost to Rylan Kuhn (MC) 6-2, 6-1; Michael Njus (Dec) lost to Trenton Kruger (MC) 6-3, 7-5
Doubles: No. 2 Branum/Nalean-Carlson (Dec) defeated Tompkins/VandenBerg (MC) 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-4); No. 3 Chamberlain/Gabriel Hiner (Dec) lost to Kuhn/Zander Dickinson (MC) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5)
Decorah 9, Aplington-Parkersburg 0
Singles: No. 1 Caden Branum (Dec) defeated Tate Neymeyer (A-P) 6-2, 6-2; No. 2 Daniel Skrade (Dec) defeated Adam Maske (A-P) 6-1, 6-1; No. 3 Landon Baker (Dec) defeated Grant Wedeking (A-P) 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-8); No. 4 Liam Chamberlain (Dec) defeated Keegan Bolhuis (A-P) 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7); No. 5 Aidan Nalean-Carlson (Dec) defeated Gabe Jacobson (A-P) 6-2, 6-1; No. 6 Michael Njus (Dec) defeated Tommy Janssen (A-P) 6-4, 6-1
Doubles: No. 1 Skrade/Baker (Dec) defeated Maske/Wedeking (A-P) 6-4, 6-3; No. 2 Branum/Nalean-Carlson (Dec) defeated Neymeyer/Jacobson (A-P) 6-2, 6-2; No. 3 Chamberlain/Gabriel Hiner (Dec) defeated Bolhuis/Janssen (A-P) 6-1, 6-0
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