The Becker boys tennis team had a great season some to an end last week, with a Section 8AA loss to the Sartell Sabres, 5-2.

“This was a tough day, as we ran into a really solid Sartell team,” Coach Hokan Bengtson said after the match.  “But our season ends with a 20-4 record, which is one of the best in program history.”

Bengtson was proud of the season his team put together and lauded the leadership from his seniors.

“We owe a lot to the seniors who led us much of the year,” Bengtson added.

Troy Nuest and Adler Herdina were solid in the singles matches, winning by identical 6-0, 6-0 scores and Bengtson credited Landon Peterson with a good match, although he fell in a close match.

The Sabres’ doubles teams were tough, as the Bulldogs were unable to crack the winning combination in those three matches.

In the opening round of Section play, Becker had downed Buffalo, 4-3.

Adler Herdina and Nathan Weiss picked up big wins right away with matching scores of 6-1, 6-0 at #2 and #3 singles.  

Becker then picked up match win number three at #1 doubles. 

“Sawyer Brown and Landon Peterson played great to win 6-4, 6-2,” Bengtson said.

Becker’s fourth point of the night came from a big finish at #3 doubles, as Jon Drury and Brock Herdina played outstanding doubles to pull out a tight three set victory which clinched the win and sent the Bulldogs to the section Semi-finals.  

“I was really proud of how the guys competed and brought energy and enthusiasm today against a solid Buffalo team,” Bengtson said.

Individuals

The Individual Section tourney started Monday and three Bulldogs have a chance to make a trip to state.

Troy Nuest won his first match fairly easily, then in round two he had a great battle, dropping the first set 2-6, and going down 0-3 in the second before mounting a great comeback finishing the set 6-3. 

Nuest fell 5-7 in a great third set before forfeiting his final match (a seeding match only for the finals) to return in time for his solo at the choir show.  Nuest advanced to the Section finals on Thursday with a state berth on the line.

Adler Herdina also played good tennis, dropping the first set 0-6, before fighting back and winning the second set 6-3.  He then dropped the third set 4-6.  

“Adler really played well and gave it all he had,” Bengtson said.  “He finished the season 23-2!”

In doubles, Landon Peterson and Sawyer Brown played really well, not losing a single set all day.  

“They beat a team from STMA 6-3, 6-1, then beat a Monticello team 7-5, 6-2, putting them in the championship match - which they chose to forfeit so Sawyer could get to the Choir show in time for his solo performance,” Bengtson said. The dynamic duo entered the tournament on Thursday as the #2 seed.

Becker’s second doubles team of Garett Lane and Carter Ager played a great first match beating Willmar’s #1 and #2 singles players 7-5, 7-6 (5).  Then they played the #2 seeded team from STMA and lost.

“These two played excellent today,” Bengtson said.  “Garett finished the season 21-6, was a great captain for us this year. Carter was 12-15 on the year, and played some of his best tennis today.”