The Becker tennis team remains undefeated in Mississippi 8 Conference play this season with a pair of conference wins, while they stand at 7-2 overall despite playing some very difficult competition in non conference play.

Last Saturday, the Bulldogs traveled to Elk River and faced some tough competition, finishing the day 1-2.

In the opener, the Bulldogs lost a 5-2 decision to Harding High School.

“This was the best team we have played this year,” Coach Hokan Bengtson said.  “They are well coached, solid at all 7 positions and had great energy and focus.”

Despite the loss, Bengtson noted the fine play of his team’s #1 doubles team, as well as his #4 singles player.

“I was proud of our #1 doubles team of Ryan Bengtson and Eli Scheideman - they played really well beating a solid pair,” Bengtson said.  “Troy Nuest continued to play well at #4 singles, winning a tough 3rd set tiebreaker.”

Elks

Next up, the Bulldogs faced Elk River, another powerhouse tennis team, and again fell 5-2.

“Elk River is a storied program in MN featuring one of the best coaches around in Randy Ronning,” Bengtson said.  “We had a really good shot at winning this match, but came up just short at #1 singles and #2 doubles.”

The #1 doubles team of Bengtson/Scheideman duo continued its fine play, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, while the 7th grade tandem of Landon Peterson and Sawyer Brown were dominant in their #3 doubles match, winning 6-1, 6-2. 

Bison

In the final match of the day, Becker downed the Buffalo Bison, 5-2.

“Zach [Bengtson- #1 singles] played his best match of the year so far and Troy [Nuest] won a hard fought battle at #4 singles,” Bengtson said. “We swept the doubles to come away with the win.”

The #1 doubles team of Bengtson/Scheideman remained undefeated on the year, extending their record to 7-0 overall.

Saints

On Monday, the Bulldogs traveled to St. Francis and came away with the M8 Conference win over the Saints, winning 7-0.

“The guys played well on a cold, blustery day in St. Francis,” Bengtson said.  “Everyone won in straight sets.”

Picking up singles wins were Z. Bengtson, Luke Bordson, Bruce Kramer and Nuest.

In doubles, Scheideman/Bengtson won in the opener, followed by the teams of Wyatt Hiltner/Peterson and Nick Gruber/Brown.

Wildcats

Tuesday, the Bulldogs again blanked a M8 school 7-0 as this time the opponent was the Chisago Lakes WIldcats.

Z. Bengtson, Bordson, Peterson and Nuest were winners in the singles match, while In the doubles matches, Scheideman and R. Bengtson were gain perfect in winning 6-0, 6-0.

Hiltner and Brown then teamed up for the win at #2 doubles, followed by sophomores Kramer and Gruber who finished out the sweep with a win at #3 doubles.

“Tuesday was another good day of tennis for the team,” Bengtson said.  “The guys worked and stayed focused despite the cold temps and a few flurries at times.”