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Boys tennis finishes runner-up at North Branch InviteThe Vikings boys tennis team had a busy week, completing six matches and coming out on the winning end in four of them. The team started the week with a 6-1 loss to Centennial April 29. The Vikesí only win came from No. 4 singles junior Rolando Leal, who won in a three-set tie breaker. ìRolando came up with a win in his best match of they year,î head coach Mike Lizotte said. ìIt was nice to see Rolando attack throughout the entire match.î The team regrouped and took the 4-3 win from St. Michael-Albertville April 30. Lizotte allowed the team members to make up their own lineup, with some singles players moving to doubles, and vice versa. Sophomore Britt Baumann and junior Lance Kozitza joined forces as the No. 1 doubles team, coming away with a win. Also winning were junior Craig Beecher and Leal at No. 2 doubles and juniors Brian Meskimen and Jake Flodquist at No. 3 doubles. In singles play, sophomore Matt Fletcher won his match at No. 1 singles, giving the team their only singles win. In the teamís last regular season conference match, the squad defeated Foley 5-2. ìIt was our best team effort of the season,î Lizotte said. ìWe had excellent efforts from top to bottom tonight.î Picking up wins against Foley were singles Baumann, Fletcher, Beecher and Leal, and the No. 1 doubles team of Steve Goranson and Lance Kozitza. The team went on to defeat Hill-Murray and Irondale, before falling to Hudson in the championship match at its own Viking Invitational. ìDespite not winning any individual medals, we were runner-up in the team competition to Hudson,î Lizotte said. ìBritt played a state tournament player from last year, Alex Vu and despite losing played very well.î He said Beecher, Fletcher and Leal all played very well, and competing against teams of a high caliber in this format was a good warm-up for the conference meet. The Rum River Conference meet is scheduled for Thursday, May 9 at Foley. ©ECM Post Review |