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The North Branch boys tennis team put together a strong stretch of play this past week, showcasing depth in singles while battling through mixed results in doubles on the way to a 4-3 record across seven meets.

North Branch opened the week with a narrow 4-3 loss to Grand Rapids, despite a dominant showing in singles. Wyatt Helberg set the tone at No. 1 with a 6-0, 6-0 sweep, while Parker Kroschell (No. 2) and Ethan Thelander (No. 4) also secured straight-set victories. The Thunderhawks, however, claimed all three doubles matches to escape with the win.

The Vikings bounced back in convincing fashion with a 6-1 victory over Aitkin. North Branch swept singles once again, as Helberg, Kroschell, Ethan Moua and Thelander combined to drop just four games. The No. 2 doubles team of Stephen Gerten and Austin Bzdok delivered a key three-set win, rallying for an 11-9 victory in the match tiebreaker.

North Branch carried that momentum into a pair of dominant sweeps, blanking St. Francis 7-0 and rolling past St. Cloud Cathedral/St. John’s Prep 6-1. The singles lineup remained nearly untouchable, with Helberg and Kroschell continuing their streak of decisive wins at the top. Doubles also found success against St. Francis, as all three teams secured victories.

A midweek setback came against Pine City in a 5-2 loss. Helberg and Kroschell again delivered wins at the top two singles spots, but Pine City controlled the remaining matches to take the dual.

The Vikings responded with a 6-1 win over Cloquet, highlighted by a gritty three-set victory from Moua at No. 3 singles, outlasting his opponent 17-15 in the final set. Helberg also battled through three sets for his win, while the No. 3 doubles team of Colt Williams and Tommy Ryder rallied for a match tiebreak victory.

North Branch closed the stretch with a 4-3 win over Totino-Grace, sweeping singles for the fifth time in seven matches. Helberg, Kroschell, Moua and Thelander again proved to be the backbone of the lineup, consistently delivering points.

With a near-perfect run in singles play, the Vikings continue to establish themselves as a tough out, with doubles play remaining the key factor in close duals moving forward.

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