By BRIAN WIERIMA
Several of the Detroit Lakes boys' tennis team players broke into the varsity lineup Thursday, but under some tough circumstances.
The Lakers were facing Mid-State Conference favorite Staples-Motley, and DL's inexperienced showed in a 6-1 loss to the Cardinals. The loss drops DL to 1-1 in the conference and also overall.
"Staples-Motley is a young team, but yet were a well coached team," said DL head coach Jim Hinson. "They were pretty solid at every spot in the lineup. But there are no excuses needed yet, since we will look forward to getting four of our returning lettermen back next week from the various spring break trips."
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The lone victory for the Lakers came at the second doubles position, where sophomores Matt Branstad and Jerry Walden triumphed over Jordan Houselog and Derek Wolhowe in three sets.
The DL duo prevailed in the decisive third set, 6-2, after taking set one 6-3 and losing set two 7-5.
"Both have worked hard at every practice and today found them winning their first ever varsity match," Hinson said of his second doubles team.
In first singles action, DL senior Shawn Gode played junior Matt Edin, who qualified for state last year in doubles and is a hard hitter.
Edin won both sets by the scores of 7-5 and 6-3, but each were played tough by Gode, Hinson said.
"The difference in the win/loss was only two service breaks by Matt," the DL coach said. "I was proud of Shawn's composure and effort. He will only get better."
First-time varsity players, freshman Travis Buschette and sophomore Brett Montplaiser, each dropped their singles matches.
"Sophomore Jon Chelmo and eighth grader Jake Hartman played a gutsy No. 3 doubles match, even though they lost in three sets," Hinson added. "Even though they lost, they worked hard at being aggressive in their net play."
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The Lakers will host Crookston at 2 p.m. and Wadena-Deer Creek at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Laker results
Staples-Motley at Detroit Lakes, Thursday, April 13.
Cardinals 6, Lakers 1
Singles: 1. Matt Edin (SM) def. Shawn Gode 7-5, 6-3; 2. Jordan Peterson (SM) def. Ryan Borgeson 6-1, 6-4; 3. Trevor Wentworth (SM) def. Travis Buschette 6-3, 6-0; 4. Anthony Duhn (SM) def. Brett Montplaisir 6-0, 6-0.
Doubles: 1. Justin Edin/Mike Liondamon (SM) def. Ben VanOfflen/Eric Roethel 6-2, 6-0; 2. Matt Brandstad/Jerry Walden (DL) def. Jordan Houselog/Derek Woldhowe 6-3, 5-7, 6-2; 3. Jared Peterson/Jake Denning (SM) def. Jon Chelmo/Jake Hartman 6-3, 0-6, 6-4.
