The Becker Bulldog tennis team saw its season come to an end Tuesday night in the section semifinals as they dropped an incredibly close match to the St. Cloud Tech Tigers, 4-3.

“It was a tough one for sure,” said coach Nate Bucher.  “We just came up a little bit short.”

The Bulldogs faced the perennial powerhouse Tigers while missing a few key players, but Bucher said everyone on the team battled and put the team in a position to nearly pull off the win.

Maddie Moe was the lone singles player to pick up the win for Becker, as she was efficient and knocked off her opponent in the #2 match.

In the doubles matches, Julia Bengtson and Alayna Lindquist were again dominant in victory, as was the #2 team of Jazlyn Toedter and Jackie Yoerg.

In the #3 doubles tilt, Hannah Uecker and Janelle Gudim had an extremely exciting match as they dropped the first set 7-5 before storming back to dominate 6-1 in the second set.  The third set was unbelievably close, with the Becker duo battling to the very end before falling just short of the victory.

“It was hard for us as we will feel the loss of a great group of Seniors,” said Bucher, who sang the praises of all the girls for the character they showed during the season.  “But to go from almost not having a season to making all these memories is something we will cherish.”

Willmar

Last Thursday in the section quarterfinals, Becker hosted Willmar and came away with a 6-1 win.  Despite the dominating win, the Cardinals did give the Bulldogs some better competition and the girls had to work hard in every match.

At #1 singles, Courtney Nuest won a 6-2, 6-3 decision, while at #2 singles, Maddie Moe won 6-2, 6-0.  Ayla Brown picked up the third win for the Bulldogs in a tough match 6-3 and 6-4.

In doubles play, Alayna Lindquist and Julia Bengtson kept up their quick work of opponents with a 6-0, 6-2 win in the #1 match.

In the #2 match, Jackie Yoerg and Jazlyn Toedter were dominant in a 6-0, 6-1 win.

At #3 singles, Hannah Uecker and Janelle Gudim had a close match, winning 6-4 in the first set before settling down for a 6-1 win in the finale.

“Willmar was a solid opponent and made us work for our wins,” said Bucher.