Tennis: Playoffs begin minus momentum

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Matt Sowokinos prepares to return volley during Rosemount’s loss last week against Eagan. Matt and Blake Sowokinos (left) teamed up at No. 2 doubles for the Irish.

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When the Rosemount boys tennis team reeled off five straight wins in the middle of the season, new coach Dana Beck was excited about the prospects for the end of the season.

The Irish then lost two matches last week to end the regular season.

It might have ended the team’s momentum with the playoffs on the horizon, but Beck remains optimistic with the Irish opening the section tournament this week.

Rosemount (7-4, 4-4 South Suburban) lost 6-1 against Bloomington Jefferson and 7-0 against Eagan last week and ended up with the No. 9 seed in the section tournament.

However, Beck was excited for the Irish’s first round matchup this week against No. 8 seed Burnsville.

“Last week, we were down in the lineup with a few singles players out with injuries,” Beck said. “With a week of rest, I am hoping to be at full strength for the match. I think we have a good shot at beating Burnsville.

“We lost 2-5 to them early in the season, the second conference match of the season, with a very different lineup than we have today. I think our lineup is stronger with everyone playing injury-free.”

The results of Rosemount’s match with Burnsville were not available at press time, but Beck knows the playoffs will be close.

“Between the fourth and the ninth seeds, everyone had a win against each other and losses against each other,” Beck said. “So I think there will be very close matches and some upsets in this section tournament. The loss versus Burnsville lost us the eighth seed and our chance at an opening home match.”

The end of the season didn’t help Rosemount much either.

The 7-0 loss against Eagan was the first time the Irish were blanked this year. Matt Baker lost a close 6-3, 2-6, 2-6 match at No. 1 singles.

Blake and Matt Sowokinos added the lone win against Bloomington Jefferson with a 6-3, 6-4 win at third doubles.

Tags: sports, rosemount, irish, prep, tennis