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Pine City 7

North Branch 0

The North Branch boys tennis team found out the hard way that Pine City was once again going to be a Rum River power. Playing the Dragons on April 14, the Vikings failed to win a match against Pine City, falling 7-0.

The best chance for a win came at number one singles where Luke Chandler lost in straight sets to Derek Lutz. Chandler lost 4-6, 5-7.

“Luke had the best chance of winning for us and very nearly made it a three set match,” said Tom McLaughlin, North Branch head boys tennis coach. “He hit some great shots throughout the match. If he can cut down on his unforced errors, he’ll be tough to beat.”

Elsewhere, David Stark fell 1-6, 4-6 at number one singles to Frank Borich. In addition, Blake Anderson and Matt Jorgenson also lost in singles play.

“Despite losing, I thought it was the best Blake had ever played. He has improved and matured a great deal as a player in the last year,” remarked McLaughlin. This was Matt’s first tennis match ever and it was a real eye-opener for him and I hope he can learn from the experience and build on it.”

In doubles play, all three teams lost in straight sets. The duo of Ben Gertz and Kevan Andrews lost 2-6, 1-6 at number one doubles. Tony Rollins and Aaron Good at number two doubles, and Dan Mork and Brandt Rasmussen at number three doubles, also lost

“They (Gertz/Andrews) played some very good points also. Kevan is new to tennis and is improving fast. Ben has been doing a great job of working with Kevan as a team,” commented McLaughlin. “Both two and three doubles are learning the game. They hit some great shots at times.”

Andover 4

North Branch 3

After hosting Pine City, the Vikings stayed at home to face Andover on April 18, losing 4-3 to the Huskies.

All three of the Vikings wins came from singles. David Stark won in straight sets at number one singles, defeating his opponent 6-3, 6-3. Blake Anderson and Luke Chandler also won their matches. Chandler’s win came via a second set tiebreaker.

“David played great. He moved the ball around the court and got to shots that many players can’t get to,” mentioned McLaughlin. “Blake played well again and did what he needed to do to win each set after going up in each set and then losing his lead. He kept his head about him when the match got tight and won each set because of that. It was Luke’s first varsity win and hung on to close out two close sets.”

Meanwhile, Andover swept doubles play, which in the end proved to be the difference in the one point loss.

Vikings fail to win a match at North Branch Invite

Even though the Vikings struggled as a team last Saturday at the North Branch Invite, failing to win a match the entire day, several individual performances left McLaughlin with a smile on his face when it was all said and done.

Most notably the play of Matt Jorgenson, who came the closest at picking up a win. Jorgenson lost in a third set tiebreaker. The Vikings doubles teams also played well.

“He’s starting to play as well in matches as he does in practice,” said McLaughlin. “I was very happy with the progress my doubles teams made over the weekend. They all made gigantic strides in playing more aggressively and getting some easy points to put away by making better shots.”

Hudson won the team title, edging out Irondale 11-10.

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