Netters improve to 8-1

• Stephen Hilding prepares to serve

Stephen Hilding prepares to serve in his doubles match with partner Joey Hanson against Rosemount Saturday. Hilding and Hanson posted a 6-1, 6-4, victory to help the Raiders to a 5-2 win. Submitted photo

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The Raider boys’ tennis team went 3-1 last week, defeating three Twin Cities metro teams while losing to perennial Big Rivers Conference powerhouse Eau Claire Memorial.

The Raiders will host Chippewa Falls Thursday, May 7 at 4 p.m. before competing in the Old Abe Invite in Eau Claire Saturday, May 9.

Last week Hudson defeated Centennial Monday, and Rosemount and Shakopee Saturday, all by identical 5-2 scores, while dropping a 7-0 decision Thursday to Eau Claire Memorial to improve to 8-1 overall, 2-1 in the BRC.

“We were outplayed by Eau Claire Memorial but look forward to seeing them again later in the season at our conference tournament,” head coach Jon Hilding said.

Hilding said the Raider doubles teams continued their solid seasons.

“Josh Szyman and Erik Kromer played their best match of the season, defeating a strong team from Centennial,” he said. “Joe Hanson and Stephen Hilding not only defeated Centennial, but also proved dominant on Saturday, taking care of both Rosemount and Shakopee in straight sets. Nick Yannarelly and Ryan Hanes also played well this week with slid wins over Centennial, Rosemount and Shakopee.”

Hilding said singles players Zach Blum and Max Hawksford, who both went 3-1 on the week, also deserve credit.

“Zach’s game is getting better as he recovers from an injury and he appears to be peaking at the right time,” he said. “Max plays a very athletic brand of tennis and is starting to put together a complete, all-court approach to tennis. Max is a freshman and already has good court sense. He is not only playing well now, but will certainly be exciting to watch in the future as he continues to develop his game.”

Tags: sports, hudson, raiders, boys, tennis