Boys Tennis: Red Wing gets by Hastings

The Red Wing boys tennis team didn’t play its best tennis Wednesday but snuck past Hastings 4-3 in Hastings.

It was an important win for the Wingers (2-0) against a quality section opponent, Red Wing head coach Randy Decker said.

“They were better than I expected,” he said. “Having said that, I don’t think we played exceptionally well. Maybe it was a little closer than it needed to be but very pleased with how it came out.”

Sophomore Isaac Toivonen dropped a close match to Ben Carlson, 7-5, 6-4, at No. 1 singles, senior George Gabrielson defeated Austin Houska at No. 2 singles 6-3, 6-1 and sophomore Noah Christenson won at No. 3 singles 6-2, 6-3. Eighth-grader Travis Toivonen defeated Lenny Weiss at No. 4 singles.

The crucial match of the day came from No. 3 doubles pair Elliot Dietz and Steffen Bettich. The two Red Wing senior captains defeated Alex Zuzek and Jalen Sneddeker 7-5, 1-6, 6-1 to help secure the fourth point for the Wingers. Decker said he was impressed with the play of his captains after Hastings took all the momentum into the third set. Dietz vocal leadership set the tone for Red Wing, he said.

“What a way for a senior captain to start the season,” Decker said of Dietz. “He really set an example for the guys today. I was really, really happy.”

Next up, the Wingers will compete in the Royal-Raptor Invitational Saturday in Woodbury before facing perennial power Rochester Mayo Monday at Twin Bluff Middle School.

Tags: boys tennis, red wing, sports, prep