Rallying with a couple of late wins in doubles, the Rochester Century boys tennis team toppled Faribault 4-3 on Friday in Big Nine Conference action.
After splitting the four singles matches and then losing at No. 1 doubles, the Panthers got a lift from Andrew Willie and Mike Elwood at No. 2 doubles.
The deciding match came at No. 3 doubles. Peter Wieven had a new partner in Grant Collins, and the duo responded with a win in two sets. Wieven/Collins lost only one game in each set.
"The difference was the No. 3 doubles team playing solid together and getting a big win," Century coach Kevin Allen said. "We changed the lineup around and it worked. Grant came up off the junior varsity and did a good job of teaming with Peter. They worked well together and dominated the match."
Century (2-2, 2-1 Big Nine) plays at Winona Cotter on Monday.
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CENTURY 4, FARIBAULT 3
Singles -- Kyle Dodge (F) def. Matt Van Oosten 6-1, 6-3; Josh Pilcher (F) def. John Onpiepho 7-5, 4-6, 6-4; Steve Lantz (C) def. James Schaefer 6-3, 6-1; Nelson Cheung (C) 6-0, 6-1. Doubles -- Marcus Bonde/Kyle Bonde (F) def. Kevin Huss/Alex LaForgia 6-2, 4-6, 6-2; Andrew Willie/Mike Elwood (C) def. Dan Utpader/Dustin Pilcher 6-0, 6-4; Peter Wieven/Grant Collins (C) def. Drew Nelson/Kyle Jameson 6-1, 6-1.
Huskies edge Lourdes
OWATONNA -- The Rochester Lourdes boys tennis team lost 4-3 to Owatonna in a non-conference match on Friday afternoon.
Lourdes played without top singles player Paul Johnson for the second straight match, due to an illness. He also missed the Eagles' win over Red Wing on Thursday. Lourdes is 3-2 overall.
"It's nice to have a tough schedule this year," said Lourdes coach Kevin Rust. "The kids are gaining a lot of experience early in the season."
Lourdes won at first and second singles, with Brian Welch winning 6-0, 6-0 at second singles. The Eagles also won at first doubles, with Nick Pearson and Mike Alker.
"We had chances at second doubles and third singles, but lost in three sets," Rust said.
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Lourdes plays against Mayo at Mayo High School on Monday.
OWATONNA 4, LOURDES 3
Singles -- Ben Habermann (RL) def. Brian Laumeyer 7-6 (5), 6-4; Brian Welch (RL) def. Matt Larson 6-0, 6-0; Nick Rotchadel (O) def. Matt Welch 6-1, 4-6, 6-4; Mike Bogert-Poepping (O) def. Richard Cockerill 6-2, 6-3. Doubles -- Nick Pearson/Mike Alker (RL) def. Matt Olson/Matt Christenson 7-6 (8), 6-4; Drew Miller/Paul Cornwalker (O) def. Ryan Kennedy/Andrew Huettner 2-6, 6-3, 6-2; Aaron Sparks/Matt Arnold (O) def. Cole Patterson 6-4, 6-1.
