One Austin doubles team showed how much they have learned this season as the Austin boys tennis opened its home schedule with a 7-0 loss to the Panthers at Paulson Courts Monday.

The No. 2 doubles team of Dom Apolo and Ku Reh both rallied in the second set as they lost 6-0, 6-4 to Century’s Michael Schoenbeck and Leo Sakuma. Both players are new to tennis after playing for a stint in middle school and both players are relatively new to Austin. Apolo moved to Austin from Worthington last year and Reh moved to Austin from Como Park last year.

“I wanted to get back to playing tennis this year,” Apolo said. “It’s fun and it’s a great way to make friends when you’re in a new school.”

Reh and Apolo both play soccer for the Packers as well and they said tennis has proven to be a good way for them to stay ready.

“It helps us train for soccer in the fall,” Reh said. “It keeps us in shape. It’s just nice to be outside playing.”

Austin head coach Jeff Anderson said he likes what Apolo and Reh have done so far on the tennis courts.

“It’s been great. They work really hard and they show up. They’ve got a lot of natural ability,” Anderson said. “Today they pushed a really good team in the second set. They’re going to continue to get better and I’m excited to have them on the team. They have really good chemistry together and they seem to enjoy playing together.”

The Packers (0-3 overall, 0-2 Big Nine) were not able to win any sets against the Panthers.

Singles

No. 1  Hunter Thamert (C) def. Joey Schammel (A) 6-0, 6-0

No. 2 Henry Kruse (C) def. Matthew Boyer (A) 6-1, 6-0

No. 3 Jared Nathan (C) def. Nico Forte (A) 6-0, 6-0

No. 4 Prabhav Kaginele (C) def Evan Anderson (A) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

No. 1 Sanjiv Ramana/Arhan Mehta (C) def. Cam Krueger/Ryan Walters (A) 6-1, 6-1

No. 2 Michael Schoenbeck/Leo Sakuma (C) def. Dom Apolo/Ku Reh (A) 6-0, 6-4

No. 3 Evan Maraganore/Tanner Mechura (C) def. Nathan Meyer/Ryan Stencel (A) 6-0, 6-0