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Tennis picks up first winThe North Branch boys tennis team had struggled early in the season, but picked up its first win in a big conference match against Princeton April 16. The team lost only one match in the contest. Wins for singles came from Britt Baumann, Matt Fletcher, Craig Beecher and Justin Mahlke. ìIt was nice to see Justin win his first varsity match,î head coach Mike Lizotte said. The doubles team of Steve Goranson and Rolando Leal won their match in two sets, while Brian Meskimen and Jake Flodquist won in a close three sets, 6-2, 5-7, 7-6. The No. 3 doubles team of Kayden Farah and Anders Lundberg gave up North Branchís only loss on the day. Momentum from the win wasnít strong enough for the team to pick up wins in their next two matches, losing to Chisago Lakes April 18 and Forest Lake April 19. The Vikings picked up two wins against six losses in the Chisago Lakes meet. Fletcher took his match at No. 2 singles in two sets, and Goranson coupled with a new doubles partner Lance Kozitza for a nice win. Lizotte said the Wildcats are a tough team to beat. ìThey are very solid, but we played well. Unfortunately, we lack depth this year and it hurts us in close matches.î He said Fletcher played his best match of the year, looking very aggressive and keeping control of the game. Lizotte said the focus was simply not there in a 6-1 loss to Forest Lake Friday. ìI was disappointed with the play of our kids,î he said. ìToo often, we got wrapped up in poor shots we made.î Picking up the lone win for the Vikings was Leal, who moved to the No. 4 singles position. Saturday, the team hosted the first-ever North Branch/Chisago Lakes tennis tournament, competing in team matches against Blaine, White Bear Lake and Cambridge. Goranson and Kozitza won two of their three matches, advancing to the medal round of the tournament. Lizotte said he will look to the teamís four singles players and first doubles team to step up their play to earn wins for the team in the remainder of its schedule. ìI am confident these players will accept the challenge and take responsibility for the outcome of many of our matches.î ©ECM Post Review |