Eagles fall short as Tigers battle back

No. 4 singles player Ian Schotzko was the first player to get the Eagles on the board after a quick 6-0, 6-0 victory over Carter Labraaten. No. 3 singles player Gideon Heins then defeated Muhammad Dhanani 6-1, 6-4 for a 2-0 Eagles lead in the match.

Maverick Johnson, a senior, then fended off surging freshman Grayden MacMullan to earn a 6-1, 7-5 win at No. 1 singles to put the Eagles up 3-0.

“This was my first time playing in, but the first one [set], I just hit more shots,” Johnson said after his win. “Then I just started missing a lot. His serve got a lot faster in the second game, he felt more comfortable I think. It was hard, he started playing really, really well.”

While Johnson controlled the first set and looked to be on his way to a quick match win, MacMullan made a push in the second set to keep things interesting.

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau
New Ulm’s Ethan Neet returns a shot during a No. 2 doubles match with Hutchinson on Thursday at New Ulm High School.

“I just kept aiming for his backhand more and keeping him in the back row,” Johnson said. “Whenever he got to the net, that’s when he scored.”

After Johnson’s win, the Tigers clawed back.

Jack Hartman and Will Byron defeated Joey Kotten and Dan Brownfield 6-2, 6-3 at No. 1 doubles to put the Tigers on the board and start the comeback. Hutchinson ended up on the winning end of two other back-and-forth doubles matches also.

At No. 2 doubles, David Jenum and Eric Oberg defeated Aaron Black and Ethan Neet 4-6, 6-1, 6-0, while Quinton MacMullen and Gavin Guler defeated Isaac Dittmer and Eli Dorschner 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to give the Tigers a sweep in doubles action.

Eagles No. 2 singles player Charlie Weidman found himself down early on against Jesus Santos after a 6-4 loss in set 1, but he battled back to take the second set 6-3 and force a deciding third set. Despite Weidman’s comeback, Santos took the third set 6-3.

Even with the loss, the Eagles have rebounded well after a tough opening week and now sit at 6-3 on the season.

“Our team is really good,” Johnson said. “It’s fun in practices because everyone, competition is right up there. It’s not easy playing, no matter what.”

New Ulm travels to Wells on Friday for a 4:30 p.m. matchup with Blue Earth Area at United South Central High School.