Alex boys' tennis: Cardinals down Willmar 4-3

• Wadi

Photo by Eric Morken Alexandria senior Mack Wadi got the final win at second singles to secure the 4-3 win over Willmar.

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The Alexandria tennis team got the decisive win from Mack Wadi in a 4-3 match against Willmar that moved Alexandria to 2-0 on the season.

Wadi locked up in a battle with Jackson Burton at second singles with the two teams tied at three wins apiece. Wadi battled back after a 4-6 loss in the first to win 6-2 in the second. The two were tied 4-4 in the third before the Alexandria senior closed things out for the 6-4 win.

That was the second win of the day for the Alexandria singles lineup. Brock Wood controlled things from start to finish against Tom Nilles-Melchart in a 6-2, 6-1 win at third singles.

“Brock came up with a solid game plan that his opponent couldn’t get a handle on,” head coach Dave Ronning said. “It worked throughout the match.”

The visiting Cardinals then relied on a couple wins in their doubles lineup for the other two points. Austin Storm and Brendan Holm teamed up at first doubles to win 6-1, 7-6 (6), while Will Harding and Ben Von Bargen won at second doubles 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. Aside from their opponents, the players also had to overcome miserable conditions with temperatures in the 30s and winds gusting more than 20 miles per hour.

“Our guys came out to play, though,” Ronning said. “We competed hard at every spot and were fortunate enough to come up with the four points to claim the match.”

The win moved Alexandria to 1-0 in the CLC before welcoming in St. Cloud Tech last night, Thursday.

MATCH SUMMARY

Alexandria 4, Willmar 3

SINGLES – No. 1 – Preston Peterson (W) def. Trevor Grandgenett 6-1, 6-3; No. 2 – Mack Wadi (A) def. Jackson Burton, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4; No. 3 – Brock Wood (A) def. Tom Nilles-Melchart, 6-2, 6-1; No. 4 – Jimmy Unger (W) def. Mark Kallevig, 6-2, 6-2

DOUBLES – No. 1 – Austin Storm/Brendan Holm (A) def. Shane Christensen/Austen Hilding, 6-1, 7-6 (6); No. 2 – Will Harding/Ben Von Bargen (A) def. Mitch Johannes/Sam Murphy, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3; No. 3 – Tate Hovland/Drew Corneil (W) def. Ryan Johnson/Levi Duwenhoegger, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, tennis