---

Mora 4, North Branch 3
The Vikings boys tennis team broke in their new courts with a match againdy Mora on Monday, April 15.

According to Head Coach Joel Santher, the last couple of years have featured some close matches between North Branch and Mora, and this year proved the same.

In thrilling action all around the courts, the Mustangs came out on top 4-3. Wins for North Branch came to John Paul Rossini in singles, who won his match in straight sets. In doubles, Noah Schwartzrock and Gabe Zderad won in straight sets, as did Koby Chouinard and Kristjan Rustan.

Adam Shoberg and Aeson Coen rounded out the wins at exhibition doubles. Josh Hindt played a tough match after being off for a year and playing singles for the first time- fighting to a close 5-7 finish in the second set after he got his bearings. “Even though it was a close loss, it was a great day being on our home courts again,” Santjer said.

North Branch 4, Rogers 3
The Vikings boys tennis team bounced back after the close loss to Mora to defeat Rogers on their home courts on Tuesday, April 16.
After a great day of tennis, North Branch came out the winner, outlasting Rogers 4-3.

In singles, Noah Schwartzrock got a straight sets, 6-0, 6-0 win over his opponent, and Reed Malterud added another point with a straight sets win as well.
In doubles, Chouinard and Rustan were able to defeat their opponent in straight sets, while Tanner Wilmet and George Blackwell went three sets to get the final winning point.

Coen and  Shoberg also won in exhibition, and Ian Scheele and Tyler Whiting came very close to pulling out their doubles match as well.

North Branch 5, St. Francis 2
On Thursday, April 18 the boys tennis team traveled to St. Francis to take on the Saints in a conference and section 7AA match.

Spotty rain threatened to spoil the day, but there was enough sun and wind to quickly dry any drops that fell.

The Vikes’ doubles teams were on point, with Blackwell and Wilmet winning at first, Zderad and  Schwartzrock winning at second, and Rustan and  Chouinard winning at third. All three teams won in straight sets.

Singles were fought a bit closer. Malterud and  Shoberg played tough, but ultimately lost at third and fourth.

Bradey Swanson found a rhythm his first set, winning easily, lost it his second set, and battled to a very close third and deciding set win.
At first singles, Thomas Wurdemann pulled off a major comeback.

He was down 1-5 in his first set and then came back to win in a tiebreak, and then won his second 6-3 to close out the victory.

It was a good day for the Vikes, who secured their second conference win in a row, as they continued to build confidence up and down their lineup.

---