Boys Tennis: Red Wing performs well at rain-shortened Winger Open

The Winger Open was cancelled after the first rounds of competition but Red Wing still managed impressive performances.

Due to the cancellation, no official places were handed out.

“I think everyone played well,” Red Wing head coach Randy Decker said. “I was really happy we got in most of two rounds. It was a positive day for us.”

In the top singles bracket, senior George Gabrielson won his first match against Waseca’s No. 1 singles players, Jacob Denn, 7-6 (7-0), 6-4 and sophomore Isaac Toivonen defeated Waseca’s No. 2 singles player, John Lewer, 6-0, 6-3.

“George and Isaac were playing great in the second round,” Decker said.

Sophomore Noah Christenson played some his best tennis of the year in the second tier singles bracket. He dominated in the first round, winning 6-0, 6-1 and was too much for Lakeville’s No. 3 singles player, Sean Kelly, in a 6-3, 6-2 victory. He forced Kelly to the net on numerous occasions and followed with excellently placed passing shots.

“Noah was really strong today,” Decker said. “He controlled the points. He was aggressive without missing.”

Sophomore Alex Holm only got one match in before the rain and fell 6-2, 6-3 to Bloomington Jefferson’s Matthew McNutt.

The Wingers No. 1 doubles pair of sophomore Nick Powers and junior Luke Bryant dropped their first match to Bloomington Jefferson’s No. 2 doubles team but recovered to defeat Waseca 6-1, 6-2. At No. 2 doubles, Red Wing seniors Elliot Dietz and Steffen Bettich got past Waseca’s No. 1 doubles pair of Josh Kimball and Josh Metzdorff 3-6, 6-0, 10-7 but lost their second match 6-2, 6-2 to Bloomington Jefferson’s No. 1 doubles team of Jonah Punnoose and Andrew McNutt.

In the second tier doubles tournament, the Wingers’ No. 3 doubles team of sophomore Marcus Veith and eighth-grader Travis Toivonen knocked off Bloomington Jefferson’s No. 4 doubles pairing of Will Elfstrum and Jeremy Vought 6-2, 6-4 and beat Lakeville North’s No. 4 doubles team 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the title match. The Wingers’ No. 4 doubles lost in the first round to Lakeville North but defeated Waseca’s No. 4 doubles team 6-3, 7-5 the second round.

Decker said he was glad that Red Wing could head into Tuesday’s match on the road against Shakopee after facing tough competition over the weekend. The Sabers have plenty of talent and the Wingers will need to show up ready and get good doubles play, he said. Red Wing has yet to lose a doubles match in conference play and another win will help the Wingers move one step closer to securing a second consecutive Missota Conference championship.

“If doubles continue to play the way they have been, we’ll be in good shape,” Decker said.

Tags: boys tennis, red wing, sports, prep