Defending MBC champions beat Tiger tennis team

• Charlie Gartner

Junior Charlie Gartner went undefeated through the Middle Border Conference dual meet season at four singles.

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Eau Claire Regis, the defending Middle Border Conference boys championship team, dealt the New Richmond boys their third loss of the MBC season on Friday.

The Tigers have also lost to Altoona and Baldwin-Woodville in conference matches this season.

Regis defeated the Tigers by a 6-1 score. The Ramblers return many of the players from last year’s team and simply had more experience than the Tigers at most flights in the match.

The lone win for the Tigers came at four singles. Junior Charlie Gartner scored a 6-4, 6-3 win to complete the conference season without a loss.

One of the best matches was at one singles, where New Richmond’s Justice Harvieux took on four-year varsity player Matt Folstad. It was a match that you would expect from two veteran players, with Folstad winning 6-4, 6-3.

“Justice served well and probably was more aggressive,” said Tiger coach Mike Montello.

Sophomore Ben Johnston got his first varsity experience in this match. He stepped in for senior Dylan Zdroik in the three doubles match, playing alongside Buck O’Flanagan.

WIAA tournaments

On Monday the Tigers will play in the WIAA Division 1 Eau Claire North Subsectional Meet. That meet will begin at 10 a.m. Teams competing in the meet are Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire Memorial, Eau Claire North, Hudson, Menomonie, New Richmond, River Falls and Superior.

Tags: sports, tigers, tennis, prep