Netters advance six flights to sectional

• Senior Dominic Meincke prepares to deliver a backhanded return

Senior Dominic Meincke prepares to deliver a backhanded return in the final home match of his career last Thursday against New Richmond. The Raiders defeated the Tigers 6-1. Photo by Bob Burrows

Talk about it

The Raider boys’ tennis team will be represented in six of the seven flights at Wednesday’s (May 25) sectional in Marshfield after qualifying at Monday’s subsectional in New Richmond.

Hudson finished second, just two points behind Eau Claire Memorial Monday with 22 points. New Richmond was a distant third with 10.

All four singles players and two of the Raiders’ three doubles pairs moved on to Wednesday’s Marshfield Sectional and will try to earn berths in the WIAA State Individual Tennis Tournament June 2-4 in Madison.

“I know the boys want to finish strong in Marshfield,” head coach Dave Dahl said. “If they can feed off each other, I look forward to them making some good things happen.”

Max Hawksford took the first step towards returning to the state tournament by defeating his Eau Claire North opponent, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 1 singles Monday. He takes a record of 13-2 into the sectional round.

Max is just one win away from making it back to Madison, and the way he is playing I like his chances,” Dahl said. “Max won all 24 points in one of his sets today, which is a little like pitching no-hitter; it doesn’t happen very often.”

Jeff Dahl won a pair of matches at No. 2 singles, 6-1, 6-1, against River Falls, and 6-1, 6-0 over Menomonie, to improve his record to 14-2 going into Wednesday’s sectional, while Seth Blum improved to 11-5 with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Superior and a 6-1, 6-0 win over Menomonie at No. 3 singles.

At the No. 4 singles position, Jon Paquette defeated River Falls 6-1, 6-1, and Menomonie, 6-3, 6-3, to improve to 10-7 heading into the sectional round.

“We played some dominating singles today,” Dahl said. “They all left no doubt that they deserve to move on in the tournament.”

The Raiders’ No. 1 doubles team of Andy Mitchell and Alex Lasiuk needed just one win — a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Menomonie — to improve to 10-5 and keep their season alive.

“These senior captains keep getting better together,” Dahl said. “They’re really getting after people now and attacking the net. They’re just two sets away from playing in the big show in Madison.”

The No. 3 doubles team of Griffin Robertson and Jake Shreffler defeated Osceola, 6-1, 6-2, and New Richmond, 6-2, 6-2, to advance with a record of 13-3.

“These two were in control all day,” Dahl said. “It’s great to get four sophomores through to the sectional; these two along with Blum and Paquette.”

The Raiders’ No. 2 doubles team of Kolya Hawksford and Tanner Owens fell short in their bid to advance. After defeating Osceola, 7-6, 1-6, 6-2, they dropped a 2-6, 1-6 decision to Eau Claire Memorial to end the season with a record of 7-7.

“Memorial was a tall task today,” Dahl said. “Kolya and Tanner are first-class kids and I’m glad they’ll be back for a final go around next season.”

Tags: sports, tennis, raiders, prep