The Packer boys' tennis team is searching for improvement for this season, but success may be closer than Austin thinks.

The Pack came up one match short of winning its season- and Big Nine Conferece opener in a 4-3 loss to Faribault Friday at the Wescott Tennis Courts, despite missing two regular contributors on the varsity roster.

Jim Reetz, filling in at No. 4 singles for an injured Tyler Hansen, took Austin's only individual win in a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 defeat of Don Fort.

The Packers took a pair of doubles bouts, claiming the No. 1 and No. 3 pairs matches. The No. 2 doubles contest went down to the third and final set, where Faribault pulled it out 6-3 for the team victory.

"Unfortunately we were missing two of our varsity players, and I think that hurt us," said first-year coach Matt Cavanaugh. "Nevertheless, it was a very close match, we were very competitive, unfortunately we just didn't pull it out in the end."

Tucker Schieck and Mike Cavanaugh swept Faribault's Marcus and Kyle Bonde in the No. 1 doubles match, 6-4, 6-1, while Jack Lynch and Luke Green eased through at No. 3, 6-0, 6-4. Taylor Schieck and Tyler Conway were defeated in the third set of No. 2 doubles, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Alex Huncek, Jesse Morgan and Andy Sundal all came up short in the top three singles spots, with regular No. 2 starter Mike Binder out of the lineup for a school orchestra trip.

Austin's schedule this week includes conference contests at Rochester Mayo on Tuesday and back home for Mankato East on Thursday. The Packers play a non-conference match with Decorah, Iowa, on Friday afternoon. All three pairings start at 4:30 p.m.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.

Results:

Singles

1. Kyle Dodge (F) def. Alex Huncek, 6-4, 6-1

2. Josh Pilcher (F) def. Jesse Morgan, 6-3, 6-1

3. James Schafer (F) def. Andy Sundal, 1-6, 6-0, 6-0

4. Jim Reetz (A) def. Don Fort, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3

Doubles

1. Tucker Schieck and Mike Cavanaugh (A) def. Marcus Bonde and Kyle Bonde, 6-4, 6-1

2. Dan Utsadel and Kyle Joneson (F) def. Taylor Schieck and Tyler Conway, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3

3. Jack Lynch and Luke Green (A) def. Drew Nelson and Dustin Pilcher, 6-0, 6-4