Boys Tennis: Red Wing stays close with Rochester Mayo

Red Wing put up a fight against top-ranked (2A) Rochester Mayo Wednesday but the Wingers fell 5-2 at Twin Bluff Middle School in Red Wing.

Sophomore Isaac Toivonen was close to winning his match at No. 1 singles against Connor Shives to bring Red Wing within a point of victory but Shives was able to pull out the win 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

“Isaac Toivonen played so well,” Red Wing head coach Randy Decker said. “He’s so mentally tough. It could have gone either way.”

Senior George Gabrielson ran into a tough matchup at No. 2 singles against Eric Rustad. Decker said Rustad usually plays No. 4 singles but his skill set was perfect to play Gabrielson and it showed in a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

“He’s really quick,” Decker said of Rustad. “He’s super steady. He doesn’t give you anything. He’s a difficult opponent for George.”

Sophomore Alex Holm defeated Andrew Johnson 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 at No. 3 singles and sophomore Noah Christenson won his match at No. 4 singles 6-3, 6-1 to give the Wingers their two points.

“I was thrilled with the way the guys competed and played today,” Decker said. “We had a shot to pull an incredible upset. It was a great match. I couldn’t be happier with the way things went.”

Red Wing’s tough string of matches continues Friday against third-ranked (1A) Rochester Lourdes at Twin Bluff Middle School.

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