Netters work hard for win

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The Raider boys’ tennis team had to work a lot harder than the score might indicate in its 6-1 victory at Menomonie last Thursday.

Jeff Dahl, at No. 3 singles, and the No. 1 doubles team of Ben Duerst and David Nettleton both dropped their opening sets before rallying for wins. Meanwhile the No. 3 doubles team of Alex Lasuik and Andy Mitchell had to go to a second set tiebreaker before posting a win in their match.

“The match was a little closer than the final score might indicate,” head coach Dave Dahl said. “We were able to earn wins in three of the four close matches today.”

Jeff Dahl lost his first set, 1-6, before winning the second in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (5) and clinching the match with a 6-3 victory in the third.

Duerst and Nettleton lost 2-6 before coming back to win the next two sets, 6-3 and 6-3, to earn their victory.

Lasuik and Mitchell won their opening set 6-2 before lulling out the second set 7-6 (4).

“It’s not unusual for the winner of the first set to go on to win the match in high school tennis,” Coach Dahl said. “So it was nice to see Ben and David at No. 1 doubles, and Jeff at No. 3 singles, hang in after dropping first sets.”

The other three Raider victories came a little easier, as Max Hawksford won 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1 singles, Jimmy Setzer won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 4 singles, and Luke Jepperson and Seth Blum won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 doubles.

“Max and Jimmy in singles and Luke and Seth in doubles all had good control of their matches throughout,” Dahl said.

The Raiders, now 2-0 in the Big Rivers Conference, 3-1 overall, will host River Falls Thursday, April 29 beginning at 4 p.m. at the high school courts. Saturday, May 1, they travel to Shakopee, Minn. for the Shakopee Quad.

Correction

A photo that accompanied the tennis team’s story in last week’s Star-Observer incorrectly identified the Raider player as Ryan Kromer. The player pictured was actually senior Eric Kromer.

Tags: sports, tennis, raiders, prep