New Richmond gets first MBC win against Ellsworth

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Playing a challenging pre-season schedule paid early dividends for the New Richmond boys tennis team.

The Tigers won their opening Middle Border Conference match, rolling past a short-handed Ellsworth program 6-1 at the NRHS courts.

Last Thursday’s Tiger home match against Amery was rained out and will be played this Friday. That comes a day after the Tigers host Durand in a conference match. Next Tuesday the Tigers will be in action at Baldwin-Woodville.

Ellsworth only had seven players available for last Tuesday’s match, so the Tigers didn’t have any competition at two flights.

The Tigers won both of the doubles matches that were played. Senior Charlie Kleiner was paired with freshman Jack Hop at one doubles. After losing the first set, they came back to capture the next two matches. They needed a tie-breaker to win the third set. Ellsworth was a tall pair that lobbed constantly, but the Tigers were able to adjust after the first set. Tiger coach Mike Montello has been auditioning different players to be Kleiner’s mate at one doubles, with Hop getting the call in his second varsity match.

Ben Johnston and Jordy Kvam were able to roll past an outmatched Ellsworth team at two doubles, winning 6-1, 6-1.

In the singles matches, the Tigers got wins from Isaiah Hobbs and Dustin Reed. Both were in control the whole way, with Hobbs winning the one flight match 6-2, 6-0 and Reed winning 6-0, 6-1 at three singles.

Ellsworth forfeited four singles and three doubles.

Tags: sports, tigers, tennis, prep