Netters drop another 'winable match'

By John George

sports@eot.com

In tennis, the final team scores dont always reflect the quality of the match. Thats a lesson the Yellowjackets are learning as they dropped another winable match, 5-2, to Long Prairie-Grey Eagle last Thursday.

As a team, I believe this is another match we could have won, head coach Terry Grzybowski said. We really could be 3-1 rather than 0-4.

Perhams two wins came at No.s 3-4 singles. Ian Johnson needed three sets to win at No. 3 singles, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Jake Muszynski had an easier time at No. 4 singles, winning 6-2, 6-1.

Ian played his best match of the year. He was just plain solid, Grzybowski said. Jake also played solid. They were both good wins.

Perhams top singles players, Sean Wurgler and Gus Rutten, both struggled in losses.

Sean and Gus were a little flat, Grzybowski said. Thats not to take anything away from their opponents. They were pretty good.

Wurgler lost 6-1, 6-0 to a two-time State Tournament qualifier, Shane Ecklund.

Grzybowski said the team will work on strengthening their doubles teams. They will also set up some challenge matches to get some players to step it up heading into the second half of the season.

Cut down by Lumberjacks

Perhams misfortunes continued on Tuesday in a 7-0 loss at Bemidji.

The Jackets managed just two set wins. Rutten won his first set 6-2 at No. 2 singles before falling 6-1, 6-4 in the final two sets. At No. 4 singles, Muszynski lost his first set 6-1 before bouncing back for a 6-2 win in the second. He lost the final set 6-0.

Perham will head to Wadena on May 5 looking for their first win of the season against the Wolverines.

Although the original schedule had the Jackets playing at Minnewaska on May 8, that match will be contested here in Perham, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Tennis

Thursday, April 27

Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 5, Perham 2

Singles

1. Ecklund (LPGE) def. Sean Wurgler, 6-1, 6-0; 2. Korfe (LPGE) def. Gus Rutten, 6-3, 6-2; 3. Ian Johnson (P) def. Uhlenkamp, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3; 4. Jake Muszynski (P) def. Holt, 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles

1. Davick & Sandelin (LPGE) def. Cody Gustafson & Michael Buer, 6-3, 6-3; 2. Mueller & Schmidt (LPGE) def. John Carlson & Brandon Heimer, 6-1, 6-0; 3. Nies & Bisgreud (LPGE) def. Tim Buchin & Nick Delaney, 6-1, 6-3.

Tuesday, May 2

Bemidji 7, Perham 0

Singles

1. Konecne (B) def. Wurgler, 6-4, 6-2; 2. Thompson (B) def. Rutten, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4; 3. Carter (B) def. Johnson, 6-3, 6-2; 4. Rude (B) def. Muszynski, 6-1, 2-6, 6-0.

Doubles

1. Shea & Bergsven (B) def. Buer & Gustafson, 6-0, 6-0; 2. Hanrahan & Beighley (B) def. Carslon & Heimer, 6-2, 6-1; 3. Holter & Weaver (B) def. Buchin & Delaney, 6-2, 6-0.

Jackets: 0-5

Next:

5/5 at Wadena-Deer Creek 4:30 pm

5/8 Minnewaska (H) 4:30 pm