The Ellsworth varsity boys’ tennis team competed on their home court April 4, taking second place at the tournament.

“There were a lot of weather challenges,” Head Coach Eric Anderson said, but the team overcame them by “understanding the wind and how it affects everyone on the courts and then how to deal with it.

“I was really happy with our performances at our home varsity tennis meet. I felt like the entire team was focused and is starting to see the results of their work at practice.”

It was the second meet for varsity players, and the second time playing at home.

No. 1 doubles players, senior Chase Bourbon and junior Brendan Anderson saw success, earning first place at the meet, 3-0. The pair competed at the 2022 state tournament and didn’t perform“as well as we should have” according to Bourbon.

“We lost an early match and found ourselves on the back end of the tournament,” he said.“(This year) we want to make it to state, obviously, but we want to place at state. This would be my third time going and we really want to be playing on the second day of the tournament. We’re going to do everything we can to make that happen.

“Last year, we went undefeated during the regular season and did poorly at state. This year, we have already taken our first loss at the first meet. To me, that means we’re going undefeated at state this year.”

As for the April 4 meet, Bourbon attributed his and Anderson’s success to“finally feeling confident in ourselves and playing like we should.” He said his goal was“hitting four balls in each point,” saying if they did that,“we knew we could win.”

The No. 2 doubles team of senior Anthony Halbgewachs and freshman Guage Weder took home a silver with a 2-1 record.

“I felt like we could have done more as a duo,” Halbgewachs said.“(I’m) proud that we got second, but lots of mistakes were made in the three games we played. We now know talking was our biggest concern and hitting up close to the net was another big concern. But overall, (I’m) proud that we got second, and (I) hope to succeed at our next meet.”

Singles players, junior Jacob Togersen and senior Caleb Romero, placed fourth and third, respectively. Togersen played No. 1 and had a 2-2 record, while Romero played No. 2 and had a 3-1 record. Togersen said his biggest success was“not losing when I was up and not letting the game get to my head.”

As the season progresses, Anderson said he looks forward to“continuous improvement and growth.”

The varsity team plays next at home today at 3 p.m.

“I was really happy with our performances at our home varsity tennis meet. I feel like the entire team focused and is starting to see the results of their work at practice.”

Eric Anderson Head Coach

Photos by LORI FARMER/Ellsworth County I-R