New opponent for Vikes

By Becky Walz,

The Decorah boys tennis team hosted a top 1A Minnesota team from Saint Paul Area, Mounds Park Academy Saturday, April 8. Mounds Park brought a tough style of play from an experienced team and beat Decorah 9-2.

This was the first meeting between these two programs and both coaches wanted to get as many matches played as possible. Playing on the 12 Luther courts with great weather gave the teams that opportunity as they decided to play six singles and five doubles in varsity action to ramp up the pressure.

Many of the singles matches were very close, with deciding points simply not going Decorah’s way. Daniel Skrade filled the No. 1 spot and dropped a hard-fought match, 2-1 (6-1, 3-6, 1-0 (10-6). At No. 2, Landon Baker fell 6-3 and 6-2, with No. 3 Liam Chamberlain dropping the match with 6-3 and 6-1 sets. Aidan Nalean-Carlson was defeated 6-0 and 6-4 in the No. 4 slot, while Michael Njus ended the day with a pair of 6-2 set losses at No. 5. Rounding out the team at No. 6 was Carter Kowitz with losses of 6-1 and 6-1.

The number 4 and 5 doubles teams both came away with wins in third set tie-breakers.  Those teams consisted of relative newcomers to the Decorah team of Aitor Cuevas and Alex McGohan at No. 4 and Leander Buettner and Ansel Kowitz at No. 5.

“This was tough competition, but our guys came out hitting and played strong unafraid tennis today, just the type of style we need to build on as the season progresses. This was a fun event as the teams shared Mabe’s pizza after the event and wished each other well on their seasons,” said Coach Matt Anderson.

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