The Le Mars boys tennis team started 2023 off with a bang on Tuesday night winning their MRAC dual with Sioux City North by a score of 9-0.
The Bulldogs found last year that they ran out of steam by the time they got to the end of the season and in more competitive matchups down the stretch. This year, Le Mars worked on their conditioning right away to make sure that will not be a problem later. Head Coach Michael Bahr says that will have a huge impact throughout the season.
On paper, this looked like a dual that the Bulldogs should comfortably take. Of course, it is what happens on the court that matters when things are said and done. Coach Bahr says it was nice for his team to take care of things early.
The Bulldogs knew what they would have with their top two courts in Michael Meis and Evan Pratt. They won their matchups as expected, but it was the third through sixth courts that were going to be questions. That included Ryder Mullaly who won his match 8-6 in the fifth court in his first varsity match. Coach Bahr says these wins will be huge for building confidence.
In the doubles matches, no score was closer than 8-3 as Le Mars cruised in finishing off the 9-0 sweep. Michael Meis and Evan Pratt took care of business in an 8-2 win in the first court. Coach Bahr is looking to rely on those two who he says have shown some great chemistry.
The Bulldogs quickly return to the courts after a day off with a matchup against Cherokee on Thursday. Coach Bahr says his squad needs to show a step up in improvement heading into the second dual of the year.
The Bulldogs host Cherokee on Thursday at 4:00 PM.
Singles:
Court 1: Michael Meis (Le Mars) defeats Cole Iverner (Sioux City North) 8-5
Court 2: Evan Pratt (Le Mars) defeats Kyler Nieto (Sioux City North ) 8-0
Court 3: Caden Wurth (Le Mars) defeats Matt Hawkinson (Sioux City North) 8-3
Court 4: Ian Penne (Le Mars) defeats Jose Valldoldid (Sioux City North) 8-3
Court 5: Ryder Mullaly (Le Mars) defeats Carter Vogt (Sioux City North ) 8-6
Court 6: Brock Hessenius (Le Mars) defeats Luis Barrios (Sioux City North) 8-5
Doubles:
Court 1: Meis/Pratt (Le Mars) defeat Iverner/Nieto (Sioux City North) 8-2
Court 2: Penne/Devin DeVall (Le Mars) defeat Valldoldid/Vogt (Sioux City North) 8-2
Court 3: Joe Rasmussen/Jacob McGill (Le Mars) defeat Cook/Hawkinson (Sioux City North) 8-3
