Tennis: Irish blank Kennedy

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With a practice schedule that had been wiped out due to inclement weather, new Rosemount boys tennis coach Dana Beck wasn’t quite sure what to expect last week.

The Irish were heading into their first match of the season. While Beck had seen the boys practice, she knew playing in a competitive match is a different type of challenge.

The first test was a positive one for the players and their new coach.

Rosemount beat Bloomington Kennedy 7-0 last week.

“We played well in the match against Kennedy, especially in singles play,” Beck said.

The Irish swept the match and Beck knew her singles lineup is likely to lead the team this season.

Matt Baker earned a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 1 singles. Will Holcomb (second singles), Stuart Hatlen (No. 3 singles) and Sean Hatlen (fourth singles) each swept their respective matches, 6-0, 6-0.

However, Beck is still trying to decide on Rosemount’s best doubles pairings.

For the first match, each pairing ended with success.

Dominic Olhoff and Jordan Randall won 7-5, 6-3 at No. 1 doubles.

Grayson Freking and Connor McGahn won 6-0, 6-1 at second doubles and Blake Sowokinos and Matt Stefanko won 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 at No. 3 doubles.

“I am still working on our doubles lineup,” Beck said. “It has been hard, as we haven’t had much time on the court due to poor weather this spring. This weather definitely continues to be a challenge and looks like it definitely will impact some more conference matches this week as well with snow in the forecast.”

Rosemount was scheduled to play in a Woodbury tournament last Saturday, but it was cancelled. The Irish conference match against Burnsville last week was postponed until April 25.

Beck was pleased with the start but also knows her lineup will be challenged as the team continues in South Suburban conference action.

“I am looking forward to see how we compete with some of the more competitive teams in the conference,” Beck said.

Tags: sports, prep, irish, tennis, rosemount