Boys Tennis: South prevails in opener

Coach Jack Olwell, in his 35th season as head coach, gave his team its pre-match instructions

A strong Lakeville South team spoiled the Tigers opener, winning 6-1 in a non-conference match Monday afternoon at the Boeckman Middle School courts.

"I thought we would give them a closer run but they are both strong and deep," Tiger coach Jack Olwell said. "It didn't help that three of our top 10 were out of the line-up for various reasons.

"Still I don't think that would have been enough with their ball striking ability. They are quite young also - a little like us us but with more experience."

The Tiger highlights came at second singles and first doubles.

Jake Bauer provided the Farmington point with a hard fought 6-1, 6-7 (9), 10-6 win at the No. 2 singles position.

Jake Bauer provided the lone Tiger win in the opener

"This was a wonderfully contested battle of wills that featured some mature shot-making by both players," Olwell said. "Jake controlled much of the match and even had match point in the second set tie-breaker...The beauty of this match was that it was marked by high quality play at pressure moments."

The first doubles team of Austin Tremmel and Trent Kortenbusch fell 2-6, 6-7(4) but played well according to their coach.

"I was proud of the way they fought back from a tough loss in the first to nearly leveling the match," Olwell said. "They made some strategic adjustments that paid off."

Lakeville South 6 Farmington 1
1S Bennett Lagro lost 2-6, 0-6
2S Jake Bauer won 6-1, 6-7 (9), 10-6
3S Ivan Rodriguez lost 0-6, 0-6
4S Cooper Erickson lost 0-6, 1-6
1D Trent Kortenbusch and Austin Tremmel lost 2-6, 6-7 (4)
2D Jake Spindler and Garrett Brown lost 1-6, 3-6
3D Tony Ratanna and Lucas Toutge lost 0-6, 0-6