The Hastings Raiders boys tennis team competed in two matches during a busy stretch of the schedule this past week, facing Mahtomedi on April 21 and Woodbury on April 22. The Raiders showed resilience in several close contests, including two third set super tiebreak victories in singles play against Mahtomedi, and continued to look for momentum as they moved through a challenging portion of their season.
Hastings opened the week on April 21 against Mahtomedi and dropped a 5-2 decision in a match that featured several tight battles at singles. The Raiders earned both of their team points in dramatic fashion. At No. 1 singles, Micah Slapnicher delivered one of the most competitive matches of the day, edging Reese Nelson in three sets by a score of 7-5, 2-6, 11-9. Benji Price followed with another clutch performance at No. 4 singles, outlasting Vinnie Berkner 7-5, 4-6, 10-6 in a second super tiebreak win for Hastings. At No. 2 singles, Gus Whitehill Conover fell to Ethan Stout 6-2, 6-1. Malachi Beal competed at No. 3 singles and pushed the second set but ultimately lost 6-1, 7-5 to Jonathan Palmquist.
In doubles play, Mahtomedi secured three straight victories. At No. 1 doubles, Aidan Suarez Garcia and Zac Belford battled in the second set but fell to Eli Hendrickson and Collin Carlson 6-1, 7-5. At No. 2 doubles, Hunter Belford and Joe Makowske lost 6-1, 6-1 against Kento Kedrowski and Elias Barnes. At No. 3 doubles, Tyler Pond and Jens Kaufman dropped a 6-4, 6-3 decision to Gannon Hamen and Sebastian Naf.
The final score was Mahtomedi 5, Hastings 2. Hastings earned wins from Slapnicher at No. 1 singles and Price at No. 4 singles, both coming in third set super tiebreaks. Mahtomedi swept the doubles matches and added victories at No. 2 and No. 3 singles to secure the team win.
Hastings returned to the court the following day, April 22, and faced Woodbury, falling 6-1 in the second match of the week. The Raiders picked up their lone team point at No. 4 singles, where Hunter Belford earned a solid straight set victory over Nick Roehl by scores of 6-2, 7-5. At No. 1 singles, Micah Slapnicher faced Ben Gurno and lost 6-1, 6-1. Gus Whitehill Conover competed at No. 2 singles and dropped a 6-2, 6-0 match to Jordan Swango. At No. 3 singles, Benji Price fell 6-1, 6-3 to Kevin David.
Woodbury also swept the doubles flights. At No. 1 doubles, Aidan Suarez Garcia and Zac Belford kept the second set close before losing to Kenneth Woodring and Eli Kloetstra 6-3, 7-6 (4). Joe Makowske and Jens Kaufman fell to Ashton Williamson and Aiden Loeffler 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles. At No. 3 doubles, Tyler Pond and Matthew Maulucci were defeated 6-1, 6-4 by Andrew Dong and Jacob Dong.
The final score was Woodbury 6, Hastings 1. Hastings earned its point from Hunter Belford at No. 4 singles, while Woodbury collected victories at the top three singles flights and all three doubles positions to complete the team win.
Hastings will host Harding on April 29 at 4 p.m., then travel to face Rosemount on May 1 at 7 p.m. The Raiders will also compete in a multi team event on May 2 at 10 a.m. at Cretin-Derham Hall High School, before returning home to host Hill-Murray on May 5 at 3:30 p.m., North St. Paul on May 7 at 3:30 p.m., and Hudson on May 8 at 4 p.m.