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The North Branch boys tennis team turned in a strong first few weeks on the court, picking up a pair of convincing dual wins before running into a tough test against Anoka.

The Vikes opened the season with two convincing wins over Princeton and Duluth Marshall before getting in three matches over the last week.

North Branch 6, Cambridge-Isanti 1

Their first win was a dominant performance against Cambridge-Isanti, sweeping the singles matches and taking two of three in doubles on their way to a 6-1 victory. At the top of the lineup, Wyatt Helberg set the tone with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win over Aiden Knudsvig. Parker Kroschell followed with a 6-1, 6-0 victory at second singles, while Ethan Moua and Ethan Thelander completed the sweep with straight-set wins.

North Branch carried that momentum into doubles play. Stephen Gerten and Austin Bzdok rolled at second doubles, 6-0, 6-1, and Colt Williams and Tommy Ryder added a 6-2, 6-2 win at third. Cambridge-Isanti’s lone point came at first doubles.

North Branch 7, Zimmerman 0

The Vikings were even more dominant in their next outing, blanking Zimmerman 7-0. Helberg again led the charge with a 6-0, 6-0 win at first singles, while Kroschell matched that score from his second spot. Moua and Thelander continued their steady play, each earning straight-set victories to secure the singles sweep.

In doubles, North Branch left little doubt. Isaiah Das and Billy Tribbett controlled the first doubles match with a 6-1, 6-1 win, while Gerten and Bzdok cruised at second dubs. Williams and Ryder capped the shutout with a decisive victory at thid doubles.

Anoka 5, North Branch 2

The week’s toughest challenge came against big school Anoka, where the Vikings fell 5-2 despite strong efforts at the top of the singles lineup. Helberg remained unbeaten on the season with another 6-0, 6-0 win, and Kroschell added a 6-3, 6-2 victory to give North Branch an early edge.

However, Anoka responded by sweeping the remaining matches. Moua dropped a 6-2, 6-4 decision at third singles, and Thelander battled to a second-set tiebreak before falling in straight sets. In doubles, the Tornadoes controlled play, taking all three matches in straight sets.

Helberg, who finished fourth in state last year, has gotten off to a blistering start. In his 10 combined sets, he’s only allowed two points, and that was in a 6-1, 6-1 win over his Duluth Marshall opponent.

The Vikings have a tough squad this year, and with Helberg at the top and everyone slotting in nicely behind him, they will pile up a lot of wins.

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