EHS tennis takes on top teams in MBC

• Will Huppert

Ellsworth’s Will Huppert gets his racket underneath the ball during last Tuesday’s dual meet at New Richmond. Photo by Dave Newman

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It was a tough way to start the dual meet portion of the regular season.

But at least the Ellsworth High School boys’ tennis team got their two toughest meets out of the way early.

The Panthers faced two of the favorites for the Middle Border last week, losing to both New Richmond and Baldwin-Woodville by 7-0 scores.

At New Richmond Tuesday, The only three-set match came at No. 3 doubles where Ellsworth’s team of Garrett Burgess and Will Huppert won their first set 6-4 but lost the next two 3-6, 2-6 to their Tiger opponents.

Ellsworth sophomore Mile Auckland won five games at No. 4 singles and the No. 2 doubles team of junior Nick Rhiel and Andy Roland won five games as well.

EHS was at B-W on Thursday. The Blackhawks made quick work of the visiting Panthers, winning every match in straight sets. Only Ellsworth’s No. 3 doubles team won more than four total games.

“Playing a tough team like Baldwin stresses the importance of some of those things we’ve been working on in practice,” Ellsworth head coach Casey Keller said.

Even though they had never played doubles together before, sophomore Auckland and freshman Huppert came closest to winning a match for the Panthers. They lost to Zach Weyer and Nick Doffing 6-4, 6-2 at No. 3 doubles.

The No. 2 doubles team of Rhiel and Roland was able to win four games, losing 2-6, 2-6 to the Blackhawks’ Cody Cernohous and Dillon Helgeson. EHS’ Parker Johnson and Francesco Mambelli both won three games in singles play.

This week, Ellsworth was at Lake City on Monday, at Amery Tuesday and Thursday they are in Eau Claire to face Regis. Next Tuesday the Panthers are at Durand.

Tags: sports, prep, tennis, ellsworth