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The Chisago Lakes boys’ tennis season is in full swing. The Wildcats opened their season with a 5-2 loss at Pine City Friday, April seventh. They followed that with a home loss to Spring Lake Park by the same score. The team’s first win of the season came at home Thursday, April 13 when the Wildcats beat Irondale 6-1.

Pine City 5 - Chisago Lakes 2

The team opened at Rum River Conference perennial powerhouse Pine City. “They won the conference last year and only graduated one senior.  This was a good match for us to see where we are and what we need to work on,” said Wildcat head coach Steve Otte.

Highlights for CL included wins by Matt Carpenter at third single and Joe Knafla at fourth singles. “The boys played hard,” Otte continued, but also pointed out that the loss made some needed improvements more obvious.

Meet Summary vs Pine City

1S Nick Peterson lost 3-6, 0-6

2S Luke Spehar lost 2-6, 2-6

3S Matt Carpenter won 6-1, 6-2

4S Joe Knafla won 6-1, 6-4

1D CJ Hoffman/Scott Leigh lost 3-6, 4-6

2D Ryan Germain/ Mark Eagan lost 2-6, 3-6

3D Sam Ryan/David Carlson lost 0-6, 3-6

Spring Lake Park 5 - CL 2

Often tennis matches are a lot closer than the score would indicate. This one, the Wildcats’ first in the North Suburban Conference, was one of those. Three of the seven points went to a third set and the Panthers took all three.

“At one point, I thought we were going to take the match 4-3,” Otte said. “Matt Carpenter really played well at first singles.  He was up against a tough ground stroker and held his own for much of the match.  The boys played well but it just didn't go our way in the end.”

Joe Knafla won his second match of the year with an exciting 7-5, 7-5 win at third singles. David Carlson picked up an easier win, 6-3-6-2, at the number four singles spot.

Meet Summary

vs Spring Lake Park

1S Matt Carpenter lost 7-6, 3-6, 2-6

2S Luke Spehar lost 6-7, 7-5, 0-6

3S Joe Knafla won 7-5, 7-5

4S David Carlson won 6-3, 6-2

1D CJ Hoffman/Nick Peterson lost 4-6, 6-7

2D Ryan Germain/Mark Eagan lost 4-6, 1-6

3D Sam Ryan/MIke Zvonar lost 6-7, 6-4, 4-6

Chisago Lakes 6 - Irondale 1

“The team came out ready to play from the start and it showed.  Many players took quick leads in their matches.  I reminded them, going into the second set, not to let their opponent back into the match,” the coach said. Otte made some adjustments in his lineup and it seems to have worked. “CJ Hoffman teamed up with Joe Knafla and they worked well together.  Both players have good serves that set up the other when they were at the net,” Otte added.

Meet Summary vs Irondale

1S Nick Peterson lost 1-6, 0-6

2S Matt Carpenter won 6-4, 6-2

3S Luke Spehar won 6-3, 6-4

4S David Carlson won 6-3, 6-0

1D CJ Hoffman/Joe Knafla won 6-3, 6-4

2D Mark Eagan/Scott Leigh won 6-2, 6-4

3D Sam Ryan/Mike Zvonar won 6-3, 6-1

The ‘Cats host St. Louis Park at 4:00 today (Thursday, April 20) and travel to North Branch to play the Vikings at 4:00 Tuesday, April 25.

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