The introduction to section play wasn't all too kind for the Detroit Lakes boys' tennis team after losing to visiting Alexandria Friday 6-1.
Due to ineligibilities, the Lakers have yet to play full strength, and Friday wasn't any different as a tough Alexandria team swept doubles and took three of four singles.
"Hopefully we will be up to our full squad by the end of April," said DL head coach Jim Hinson. "But we were very pleased with our effort. We were competitive all the way through our doubles."
Junior Ryan Borgeson would be DL's lone victor after taking the No. 1 singles match over senior Matt Verant in three sets.
The DL player would struggle early, losing set one 6-1, but he recovered nicely with a 6-4 win in set two and survived a tiebreaker in the final set 7-4.
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"He really struggled finding his rhythm in the first set, but in the second, he focused on being consistent," Hinson said. "He played smart and very well (in sets two and three)."
The No. 2 duo of senior Izzy Stein and freshman Jake Hartman went three sets with David Hammer and Blaine Green, before succumbing in the third set losing a tiebreaker 7-3.
It was the first time the Laker twosome paired together for doubles play.
"They really played well," Hinson included. "They came out on the short end of a three-set tiebreaker, but it was a great match to watch."
The Lakers will travel to Park Rapids Thursday for a Mid-State Conference clash.
Laker results
Alexandria at Detroit Lakes, Friday, April 20.
Cardinals 6, Lakers 1
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Singles -- 1. Ryan Borgeson (DL) def. Matt Verant 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4); 2. Josh Molitor (A) def. Bryce Butzer 6-0, 6-1; 3. Luke Eberly (A) def. Florian Schneider 3-0, retired; 4. Tyler McIver (A) def. Brett Montplaisir 6-1, 6-0.
Doubles -- 1. Derek Dolan/John Schmidt (A) def. Ben VanOffelen/Alex Nustad 6-3, 6-2; 2. David Hammer/Blaine Green (A) def. Izzy Stein/Jake Hartman 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3); 3. Cody Nelson/Jacob Otterness (A) def. Eric Roethel/Robbie Anderson 7-5, 6-2.
