April 8 vs. Mora and Bemidji

On April 8, Otters boys tennis opened up the season with two very tough opponents. Bemidji who is a Division 2A powerhouse every year, came to Fergus Falls, along with Mora, who has a player ranked in the top 10 for 1A. The Otters fell 7-0 to both teams, but coach Derek Abrahams stated he was extremely proud of how they played.

“Tyler Heruth and Leo Schierer will be anchoring the Otters at the No. 1 and No. 2 singles spots this year, and had their hand full with these two teams, but are continuing to grow into their roles in those difficult positions,” said Abrahams. Junior returning letterman Dan Hare is slotted into the No. 3 singles position while newcomer ninth-grader Jacob Warner battled at No. 4 singles.

A few returners mixed in with some some new players up and down the doubles lineup. Juniors Will Vaughn and Isaiah Ibarra took the No. 1 doubles spot, and after a tough match with Mora, battled to the end with Bemidji, barely coming up short.

At No. 2 Doubles, juniors Sully Rufer and Gabe Carlson took both of their opponents to a full three sets but again came up just short.
And at No. 3 doubles, freshman James Vaughn and senior Hudson Emerson rounded out the lineup.

“It was a great first day to get outside and get some matches in,” Abrahams said following the matches. “With only being able to practice outside three times this year, these matches were like being able to have a couple additional practices and we were able to learn a little bit more about ourselves.”

April 10 vs. Osakis and St. Johns Prep/Cathedral

The Otters traveled to Osakis on April 10 to take on section opponent the Osakis Silverstreaks, as well as St. Johns Prep/Cathedral. Both matches came down to the wire with plenty of three-set matches, but the Otters came up just short, losing 5-2 to Osakis and 4-3 to St. Johns.

Again Tyler Heruth and Leo Schierer had their hands full at the No. 1 and No. 2 singles spots, taking on quality opponents.

Abrahams said, “Both battled and we can really see their game coming along but both fell just short. Against St. Johns Prep, the Otters found themselves down 2-1 after picking up a win at No. 3 doubles with 9th-grader Jacob Warner and 8th-grader Brody King getting a key win and all four of the remaining matches went into a third set.”

Sully Rufer at No. 4 singles and Gabe Carlson/James Vaughn at No. 2 doubles were able to get the victories after battling back from early deficits. Both Dane Hare at No. 3 singles and Wililiam Vaughn and Isaiah Ibarra at No. 1 doubles fell behind early dropping the first set, but stormed back to win the second. However at the end, both just came up short falling 6-3 and 6-4 respectively in their third sets.

“I was very impressed with the way we competed,” Abrahams affirmed. “We had four matches going on at once that was going to determine the match and I thought all of our guy competed very well down to the last point. We were able to get better as a team today and though we dropped both matches, this will help us down the road.”

Osakis 5. Fergus Falls 2
Singles

Tyler Stier (O) def. Tyler Heruth (FF) 6-1, 6-0Kellan George (O) def. Leo Shierer (FF) 6-4, 6-2Drew Vanuhuris (O) def. Dane HAre (FF) 7-5, 6-2Dylan Hetland (O) def. Sully Rufer (FF) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

Doubles

Preston Steinhert/Brandon Anderson (O) def. Will Vaughn/Isaiah Ibarra (FF) 6-3, 6-1Gave Carlson/James Vaughn (FF) def. William Meyer/Tucker Kreamer (O) 6-1, 6-1Brody King/Jacob Warner (FF) def. Jake Nelson/Skyler Larson (O) 6-0, 7-5

St. Johns Prep/Cathedral 4 Fergus Falls 3
Singles

Edmond Zeng (STJ) def. Tyler Heruth (FF) 6-1, 6-1Emiliano Martinez (STJ) def. Leo Schierer (FF) 6-3, 6-4Landon Martin Chefee (STJ) def. Dane Hare (FF) 6-2, 5-7, 6-2Sully Rufer (FF) def Booth Everette Toner (STJ) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3

Doubles

William Riesinger/Eli Ibarra (STJ) def. Isaiah Ibarra/William Vaughn 6-2, 5-7, 4-6Gabe Carlson/James Vaughn (FF) def. Paulo Delgado/Lane Otto 0-6, 6-4, 6-3Brody King/Jacob Warner (FF) def. Ruey Kat/Martin Mao 6-1, 6-2