Packers move past Albert Lea in Section 1AA tennis tournament
Published 10:03 pm Tuesday, May 15, 2018
- Austin’s Joey Schammel makes a play on the ball at No. 3 doubles against Albert Lea Tuesday afternoon. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin boys tennis team made some history at Paulson tennis courts Tuesday. The Packers hosted their first postseason contest in at least a decade and they kept their team season alive with a 4-3 win over Albert Lea in a Section 1AA tournament match.
Austin senior Jens Ourada picked up a 6-4, 6-2 win over Grant Herfindahl at No. 1 singles in his final match at Paulson. Ourada helped recruit many of Austin’s 10 seniors a few years ago when the Packers were struggling for numbers.
“A couple of years ago, Josh [Brehmer] and I decided to recruit our friends to play tennis and we actually got a lot of them to come out and play. It’s really been huge to help us improve,” Ourada said. “Today was big because this was the first time we hosted a section match since like 1999. It’s been awhile. We came into this with our heads high and hopefully we’ll have a good match on Thursday.”
Austin’s Manuel Diaz returns a shot at No. 3 singles against Albert Lea Tuesday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Brehmer won his No. 2 singles match over Levi Kermes 6-0, 6-0. He embraced the match as his last. He couldn’t help but realize it was one of the last time’s he’d be playing next to Ourada, who asked Brehmer to join the sport and who played in winter leagues with Brehmer.
“It’s a little weird,” Brehmer said. “We’ve been playing here for four years and not having another match here will be weird, but we’re excited and hopefully we can play next round. It’ll be a little sad not playing here again. I’ve played next to Jens for four years.”
The Packers won three of the four singles matches and the No. 3 doubles team of Ryan Walters and Joey Schammel beat Cole Inderlie and Caleb Hanson by scores of 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
“I told the guys this time of year it is survive and advance, and the is exactly what we did,” Austin head coach Jeff Anderson said. “We knew that this would be a close match just like the last time we played them.”
Austin (6-7 overall) will now play at Rochester Century in a Section 1AA quarterfinal Thursday.
Hugh Olson plays the ball during the No. 4 singles match against Albert Lea Tuesday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Singles
No. 1 Jens Ourada (A) def. Grant Herfindahl (AL) 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 Josh Brehmer (A) def. Levi Kermes (AL) 6-0, 6-0
No. 3 Manuel Diaz (A) def. Josh Englin (AL) 6-2, 6-0
No. 4 Sam Yoon (AL) def. Hugh Olson (A) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles
No. 1 Keith Gryzbowski/Andrew Hernandez (AL) def. Luke Goodew/Elijah Hirst (A) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
No. 2 Jaxon Heilman/Matt Edwards (AL) def. Logan Braaten/Bryar Flanders (A) 4-6, 7-6(5), 10-8
No. 3 Ryan Walters/Joey Schammel (A) def. Cole Inderlie/Caleb Hanson (AL) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
Austin’s Ryan Walters plays the ball at No. 3 doubles against Albert Lea Tuesday afternoon. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
