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North Branch 6

Mora 1

This year’s North Branch tennis team is young, there is no denying that. Because of that, they are expected to be hot and cold this season. Some matches good- others, not so good. That formula summed up their first four matches of the season perfectly.

First the good.

Last Thursday, the Vikings opened the season with Mora at home. While North Branch is young, the Mustangs were even younger.

Basically, the match was over before it started. At number one singles, Britt Baumann made quick work of David Manther, winning in straight sets 6-0, 6-0. Justin Mahlke followed with a straight set win at number two singles, and David Stark snuck by Pete Paulson in three sets at three singles.

On the doubles scene, the Vikings swept the three matches, winning two of the three in straight sets.

“David Stark has been unbelievable at number three singles,” mentioned Tom McLaughlin, North Branch head tennis coach. “He just battles all the way through. He somehow managed to win nearly all of the crucial points in his match.

“We won pretty easily,” continued McLaughlin. “Mora is even younger than we are. I didn’t think that was possible.”

North Branch 6

Mora 1

Singles:

Baumann won 6-0, 6-0

Mahlke won 6-2, 6-4

Stark won 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)

Anderson lost 3-6, 6-7 (6-8)

Doubles:

Ekstrom/Sung won 6-2, 6-3

Endriss/Forrest won 6-3, 6-0

Hamann/Stuen won 6-0, 7-6 (7-5)

Mahtomedi 7

North Branch 0

Now the bad.

“They were way too much for us. We got smoked off the court.”

That was Tom McLaughlin’s assessment of the situation, referring to the Vikings 7-0 loss to Mahtomedi last Saturday.

In his defense, he was right. North Branch managed to win more than one game four games the entire contest, losing all seven matches in straight sets. The only matches where a Viking won more than one game came from Britt Baumann and Jason Endriss. However, they both lost 2-6, 2-6 and 1-6, 3-6 respectively.

“They were just too good,” said McLaughlin. “We were too young and too over-matched to play with them.”

Mahtomedi 7

North Branch 0

Singles:

Baumann lost 2-6, 2-6

Stark lost 1-6, 1-6

Anderson lost 0-6, 2-6

Endriss lost 1-6, 3-6

Doubles:

Ekstrom/Sung lost 1-6, 2-6

Hamann/Gertz lost 0-6, 0-6

Gelden/Koski lost 1-6, 0-6

Amery 4

North Branch 3

They didn’t have a choice. With Amery on the way, the Vikings had to forget about their loss to Mahtomedi last Saturday....and quick.

Less than an hour later, North Branch took their 1-1 season record back onto the court to face the Warriors. Even though the match was closer than their earlier match-up, the result was the same as Amery stole a 4-3 win.

The Vikings dominated singles play, taking three of the four matches. Britt Baumann picked up his second win of the season, as did David Stark at number one and two singles. Grabbing his first win of the year at number three singles was Blake Anderson. Anderson won his match in three sets.

However, with one singles win under their belt, Amery swept doubles play, securing the 4-3 win. The Warriors won all three doubles matches in straight sets.

“I thought they (doubles) did a good job of controlling the net but missed too many volleys and set up their opponents by hitting weaker ground strokes,” said McLaughlin. “Once their ground strokes improve, they’ll get some easier volleys to hit.”

The loss dropped the Vikings season record to 1-2.

Amery 4

North Branch 3

Singles:

Baumann won 6-3, 6-2

Stark won 6-4, 6-2

Anderson won 6-4, 4-6, 6-1

Endriss lost 6-7 (4-7), 4-6

Doubles:

Ekstrom/Sung lost 2-6, 2-6

Hamann/Gertz lost 4-6, 2-6

Gelden/Stuen lost 0-6, 1-6

Forest Lake 6

North Branch 1

The busy week finally came to a close last Monday in North Branch for the Vikings, falling 6-1 to Forest Lake.

Fatigued and struggling, the Vikings managed just one win, that came from David Stark at number three singles. Stark won the first set thanks to a tiebreaker before blowing past Mike Feist in the second set to complete a 7-6, 6-4 win.

However, elsewhere, it was all Forest Lake. Besides number one doubles, the Rangers steamrolled past the Vikings in straight sets, dropping them to 1-3 on the year.

“ David Stark continues to play very well at third singles, winning another close match. He never gives up on the ball and probably plays harder than anyone else right now,” replied McLaughlin. “Britt Baumann didn’t play well in the first set, he’s just missing shots he normally would make and giving away points with unforced errors. Hopefully, with our busy early schedule, he’ll sharpen his shot and get more into shape. Basketball kept him busy all winter so his slow start isn’t surprising. The more top level competition he gets, the faster he’ll improve.”

Baumann and the Vikings will get that work. This week alone, North Branch hosts Chisago Lakes on Thursday, followed by the North Branch Invite on Saturday. Anoka, Duluth East, and White Bear Lake will join the Vikings at the tournament.

Forest Lake 6

North Branch 1

Singles:

Baumann lost 1-6, 3-6

Mahlke lost 1-6, 5-7

Stark won 7-6, 6-4

Anderson lost 0-6, 1-6

Doubles:

Ekstrom/Sung lost 1-6, 6-1, 2-6

Endriss/Forrest lost 6-7, 4-6

Hamann/Gelden lost 3-6, 1-6

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