On the move Cardinal doubles players Shane Suess (left) and Grant Longbella were in action at the Staples courts during the Cardinal 4-3 win April 15 over Wadena Deer Creek. These two played first doubles in the absence of normally No. 1 team of Derek Wolhowe and Anthony Duhn. They won a 6-1, 6-3 win over the W-DC team. (Staples World photo by Kelley Kossan) The Cardinal tennis boys got into action this past week, winning a 4-3 dual in their opener against Wadena- Deer Creek on Thursday, April 15.

The young Cardinal squad followed that up Monday, April 19 hosting Benson and Minnewaska.

The Cards defeated Minnewaska 5-2 and lost to Benson 4-3.

Last Saturday, the Cardinal boys traveled to Park Rapids where they finished third in the Park Rapids Invitational. Fergus Falls won with 33 points, Foley had 30 and Staples Motley 21, with five other schools there as well.

Jordan Peterson at first singles dominated his three matches winning the championship and losing only six total games.

Austin Hirschey recovered from a tough three set loss at three singles in the first round to take the consolation championship. Matt Spar also earned his way to the championship, but went down against a crafty and athletic Fergus Falls opponent.

A three set see-saw battle went to Foley in one doubles action as the senior duo of Derek Wolhowe and Anthony Duhn grooved their way into the finals, only to finish second.

Grant Longbella and Shane Suess recovered from two losses at two doubles to capture a victory for the day.

“Overall, it was a very good day for us as a team. There was plenty of outstanding play with great effort resulting in a positive and fun experiences- especially

for our younger players,”

Coach Coughlin said. “There was also plenty of

blemishes that stood out that we need to work on. Hopefully, we can learn to thrive on those challenges.”

Led by the precise play of Jordan Peterson and Guthrie Coughlin at one and two singles, the Cards zipped through the singles line up against Minnewaska unscathed while gaining another point at two doubles to come home with an impressive 5-2 win.

Meet Results

SM 5, Minnewaska 2

Singles: (SM listed first) 1. Jordan Peterson def. Dylan Hoffman 6-2, 6-2; 2. Guthrie Coughlin def. Tanner Holter, 6-3, 6-1; 3. Austin Hirschey def. Jacob Braaten 6-0, 1-6, 6-4; 4. Matt Spar def. Collin Casperson 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: 1. Derek Wolhowe/ Anthony Duhn lost to Tanner Blair, Lars Meisher, 5-7, 2-6; 2. Grant Longbella/Shane Suess def. Christian Waag/Jackson Moore 6-2, 6-0; 3.Robin Melse/ Dale Vogt lost to Kris Daniels/ Tony Krueger 6-4, 3-5 (ret)

Benson 4, SM 3

Singles: 1. Jordan Peterson def. Ben Murphy 6-1, 6-1, 2. Guthrie Coughlin def. Ethan Ratliff- Crain 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (4); 3.Austin Hirschey lost to Brandon Edlund 6-0, 2-6, 2-6; 4. Matt Spar lost to Mads Pajbjerg 3-6, 3-6;

Doubles: 1. Wolhowe/Duhn lost to Luke Widseth, Ted Eix 4-6, 1-6; 2. Longbella/Suess lost to Mike Goulet/Lars Hering 3-6, 3-6; 3. Melse/Josh Solway def. Jake Hanson/Zach Goff 6-4, 6-7, 0-6.

SM 4, Wadena-Deer Creek 3

Singles: 1. Austin Hirschey def. Austin Korkowski 6-1, 1-6, 6-2; 2. Matt Spar lost to Taylor Garcia 6-7, 6-4, 1-6; 3. Dale Vogt lost to Cory Petow 2-6, 2-6; 4.Colton Paskewitz lost to Zach Nornberg 0-6, 0-6.

Doubles: 1. Grant Longbella/ Shane Suess def. Kevin Jensen/Matt Green 6-1, 6-3; 2. Robin Melse/Nick Johnson def. Eliah Anderson/Aaron Carlson 6-0, 6-0; 3. Spencer Svendsen/ Warren Japke def. Bob Byeran/ Mike Byeran.