Boys Tennis: Trojans nip Tigers in season finale

Ben Cline 3-set winner at No. 2 singles  (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Farmington played its best Missota Conference match of the season but still came up short in a 4-3 loss to New Prague in its regular season finale Thursday afternoon at the Boeckman Middle School courts.

"This was a fun and entertaining match that came down to two three-setters," coach Jack Olwell said. "We needed both and only got one. It was great to be in the hunt even though the fox got away."

The three Tiger wins came in singles play where Ben Cline, Ivan Rodriguez and Bennett Lagro each scored victories. Rodriguez and Lagro won in straight sets at the No. 3 and No. 4 positions while Cline ground out a hard-fought 4-6, 6-6, 6-2 victory at the No. 2 spot.

"Ben played a very smart match," Olwell said. He was patient but aggressive, using every opportunity to go on the attack and close out points at the net. He finished points with precisely placed volleys and overheads."

Rodriguez avoided his customary slow start and won going away 6-2,6-4. Lagro claimed the first set 6-1 and then came back from a 5-1 deficit in the second to win in a tie-breaker.

Next  Tuesday the Tigers will play a road match against a team to be determined by seeding in the opening round of the Section 1AA tournament.

New Prague 4 Farmington 3
No. 1 singles   Blake Olmscheid lost 3-6, 3-6
No. 2 singles   Ben Cline won 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
No. 3 singles   Ivan Rodriguez won 62, 6-4
No. 4 singles   Bennett Lagro won 6-1, 7-5 (5)
No. 1 doubles  Tyler Olson/Jeff Zakoski lost 3-6, 2-6
No.2  doubles  Austin Tremmel/Trent Kortenbusch lost 4-6, 3-6
No. 3 doubles  Austin Rau/Jon Zakoski lost 6-4, 4-6, 4-6