01 May 2013

Boys Tennis: Tigers edged twice

Bennett Lagro winner at No. 1 singles v.s Minnehaha Academy
Farmington played some its best tennis of the belated spring early this week but the solid play didn't translate to any victories.

Monday the Tigers dropped a 5-2 decision at Minnehaha Academy and Tuesday they lost a 4-3 Missota Conference road verdict at Chaska.

In the loss to the Red Hawks, the Tigers got wins from Bennett Lagro at No. 1 singles and the No. 3 doubles combo of Drew Corraro and Jake Spinlder.

Lagro turned in his best performance of 2013 with a hard-fought 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 win.

"This was a great match for Bennett in that he had to use his will to overcome a challenging style of play," Olwell said. "After a frustrating first set loss he went down a break early in the second but maintained his resolve and went on to win the tie-breaker after being down 0-4."

The Corraro/Spindler tandem trailed early but battled back to prevail 6-7 (4), 6-4, 11-9.

"I think the most rewarding thing was the fact that after losing a close first set they stayed focused and came back to get the second and force the tie-breaker," Olwell said. "It was also rewarding to see them coming back from 2-5 down in the tie-breaker. You don't see that too often."

Drew Corraro teamed with Jake Spindler combined for a win at No. 3 doubles
Farmington won three of four singles matches against Chaska but came up empty in doubles to fall to 0-2 in conference play.

Jake Bauer, Ivan Rodriguez and Jon Zakoski posted the victories in slots two through four on the singles ladder. Bauer won 6-3, 6-4; Rodriguez 6-3, 6-3 and Zakoski 6-4, 6-3.

"Jake worked his opponent's weaker side and controlled play from start to finish," Olwell said. "Ivan mixed up his shots using slices and angles along with his usual stable of deep forehand drives and Jon used patience to take down another attacking player who quickly realized he was no match from the baseline and as it turned out, from the net either."