GRAND FORKS — After Mandan’s Eli Kleinknecht and Brandon Johnson ended the West Region’s 33-year state boys tennis drought, they grabbed a ball and prepared to serve.
The crowd cheered. Their opponents waited at the net.
It took about 10 seconds for Kleinknecht and Johnson to realize it was over and they were champions.
Mandan beat Grand Forks Red River 3-2 in a down-to-the-wire state championship, which came down to a third-set tiebreaker at No. 2 doubles.
It was Mandan’s first state boys tennis title.
A West Region team hadn’t won it since Bismarck St. Mary’s in 1993. St. Mary’s no longer has a team.
“I have no idea how that happened,” Mandan head coach Paul Christen said. “It’s been a long time. It feels like a long time. I’m so proud of these guys.”
Mandan celebrates its North Dakota state boys tennis title on Oct. 8, 2026, at Choice Health and Fitness.
Brad Schlossman / Grand Forks Herald
Kleinknecht and Johnson won 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (4) at No. 2 doubles to seal the victory.
They were confused at the end, thinking they were playing a 10-point super tiebreak instead of a regular seven-point tiebreak.
Mandan’s other wins came from brothers Jared and Matthew Christen at No. 1 and 2 singles.
The Braves finished the season a perfect 22-0.
“These guys have had pressure on them all season,” Christen said. “From the beginning of the season, all the guys in the West were like, ‘Go get it, go get it for us.’ That’s not easy. We were down in a lot of matches. We didn’t lose, but every match was close. I think it prepared us well.”
Red River earned wins from Jack Johnson at No. 3 singles and Gabe Schauer and Max McDonald at No. 1 doubles.
“It was a great match, two great teams going to battle,” Red River coach Josh Lunak said. “I’m really proud of our resilience. Maybe we didn’t get the start we wanted, but we were right there and we came this close. I’m really proud of my team and their effort.”
Max McDonald of Grand Forks Red River swings for the ball during the state boys tennis tournament on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at Choice Fitness in Grand Forks.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Both teams had tough semifinals.
Mandan edged Fargo North 3-2 in a dual that came down to a third set at No. 2 doubles.
Red River downed Minot 4-1, winning two three-set matches.
The final pitted the East Region’s regular-season and tournament champion against the West Region’s regular-season and tournament champion.
Kyler Bydal, of Grand Forks Red River, watches the ball approach during the state boys tennis tournament on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
The decisive No. 2 doubles match went back and forth.
“You could just see our guys stayed tough in the big moments,” Christen said.
The individual state tournament begins Friday at Choice Health and Fitness.
Six Roughriders players qualified for the individual tournament, including East Region doubles champions Schauer and Max Mecham.
“This one is going to hurt, but hopefully the ones who are playing individuals can rebound and recover and put in two successful individual days,” Lunak said.
Red River High School’s Jack Johnson watches the ball during the state tennis tournament on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at Choice Fitness.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Gabe Schauer, of Grand Forks Red River, watches the ball during his follow-through during the state boys tennis tournament Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at Choice Fitness in Grand Forks.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Cullen McDonald of Grand Forks Red River follows through on a return during the state boys tennis tournament on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at Choice Fitness in Grand Forks.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Grand Forks Red River’s Max Mecham focuses on the ball during the state boys tennis tournament on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at Choice Fitness in Grand Forks.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.