Tennis team advances

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The Cardinal tennis team advanced to its fifth straight section team tournament with a 6-1 win over Bemidji on Tuesday night.

Alexandria had a first-round bye and was matched up against the Lumberjacks after they defeated Sartell earlier in the day. The Cardinals know what it takes to reach the section tournament and they showed that on Tuesday as they swept through the doubles lineup and took three of four in singles.

“We knew Bemidji had four very good singles players and a solid first doubles team,” head coach Dave Ronning said. “So we knew it was going to be a battle. We didn’t get out to a very good start anywhere with the exception of Reggie [Ronning] at first singles. After the jitters were worked out, the guys started to play some good tennis.”

Reggie Ronning cruised to a straight-set victory at the first singles spot. The win was his 20th of the season as he continues to be a model of consistency for the Cardinals.

The most tightly contested match of the day came at No. 2 singles. Connor Illies dropped the first set 3-6 before forcing a tiebreaker in the second. He found himself down 3-6 in the tiebreaker but battled back for the 8-6 win after two ace serves to end it. Illies then persevered through the third set to win 7-5.

The doubles competitions were tight but all three spots were won by Alexandria in straight sets. Jacob Otterness and Marvin Wensman teamed up at No. 1 to win 7-5, 6-3. Kevin Desautels and Matt Peterson followed with a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 2, while Cody Nelson and Thomas Williams rounded it out with a 7-6 (4), 7-5 win.

The win sets up a match up with Elk River in the first round of the section tournament next Tuesday in St. Cloud.

SUBSECTION SEMIFINALS

Alexandra 6, Bemidji 1

SINGLES – No. 1 – Reggie Ronning (A) def. Sam Weaver, 6-0, 6-4; No. 2 – Connor Illies (A) def. Ben Holter, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-5; No. 3 – Ryan Rude (B) def. Luke Eberly, 6-3, 6-3; No. 4 – Ben LeVahn (A) def. Ben Kloha, 7-6 (2), 6-1

DOUBLES – No. 1 – Jacob Otterness/Marvin Wensman (A) def. Aaron Johnson/Stephen Bucher, 7-5, 6-3; No. 2 – Kevin Desautels/Matt Peterson (A) def. Adam Holter/Kyle Fodness, 6-4, 6-3; No. 3 – Cody Nelson/Thomas Williams (A) def. Justin Byers/Aaron Eichhorst, 7-6 (4), 7-5

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, tennis, boys, cardinals, section, 8aa