The North Branch boys tennis team was shutout 7-0 by Champlin Park April 30 and opened this week with a 5-2 loss to Park Center Monday. The squad also fell to Foley 6-1 and earned a big 4-3 win over St. Michael-Albertville last week.

Against Foley, senior Britt Baumann earned the lone North Branch win in two sets, 6-3, 6-0. ìBritt played a great match and controlled most of the points,î Head Coach Tom McLaughlin said.

The squad was tied 3-3 April 29 against STMA when junior David Stark at No. 3 singles won after losing the first set 0-6. He came back to win 6-4, 7-5 to take the match and help earn a Vikings win.

ìDavidís strength is keeping the ball in play and getting to shots most players couldnít get to,î McLaughlin said.

During his match, Baumann tore a scar on his knee and was unable to compete against Champlain Park April 30.

With Baumann out, senior Justin Mahlke stepped into the No. 1 singles slot. He was defeated in 2 sets, 3-6, 0-6.

At No 2 singles, Stark lost in a three-set tiebreaker, 2-6, 6-4, 6-7. Anderson and Gelden lost in two sets to round out singles play.
McLaughlin is pleased with the improvement he is continuing to see from the No. 2 doubles team of sophomores Ben Forrest and Ben Gertz.

Baumann at No. 1 singles and sophomore Mike Hebert at No. 2 singles recorded the 2 wins for North Branch against Park Center May 3. Baumann shut out his opponent in 2 sets, 6-0, 6-0. Hebert won in 3 sets, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

The Park Center match started a busy week for the Vikings. Tuesday the team traveled to Princeton and Thursday the squad is in Pine City. North Branch hosts a 4-team invitational Saturday, May 8.

It is the teamís second invite of the season. In an invite April 24, the Vikings picked up only 1 win against three of the tops teams in the state ñ Duluth East, Blake and White Bear Lake. The win came from Gelden at No. 4 singles.

The Vikes will also be preparing for the Rum River Conference meet Thursday, May 13 at Pine City.

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