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The Pipestone Area Schools tennis team conducted Senior Day on Tuesday, April 22, honoring No. 1 singles player Makhi Winter.
Winter had a banner day, defeating Luverne senior Kaleb Hemme, 6-1, 6-0, as the Arrows downed their rivals from 30 minutes south of Pipestone.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Makhi Winter prepares to hit a shot during his No. 1 singles match versus Luverne’s Kaleb Hemme on Tuesday, April 22, at the PAS Courts. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“It was a competitive match,” PAS head coach James Skyberg noted. “They’re our rival, and we were able to get win (against them).”
Before the beginning of matches, Winter was honored with a white racket featuring photos and he was given a couple of gift cards.
Pipestone Area Schools’ James Skyberg presents a racket to Makhi Winter during the Arrows’ Senior Day on Tuesday, April 22. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Then Winter took care of business, dispatching Hemme in less than one hour.
That gave Makhi time to encourage his younger teammates — and he rooted the Arrow No. 3 doubles team of Austin Jorgenson and Mikah Weets to a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Luverne’s Tate VerSteeg and James Eggebrecht.
Pipestone Area Schools’ James Skyberg coaches Austin Jorgenson (facing) and Mikah Weets during their doubles match versus Luverne on Tuesday, April 22. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
PAS (1-4) also was victorious at the No. 2 doubles position as Joel Cardenas and Charles Haak defeated Cooper Thone and
James Mulder, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1 in the deciding tie-breaker).
At No. 1 doubles, PAS’ Brady Dunn and Avery Gutierrez joined forces to beat Luverne’s Austin Sandbulte and Elijah Henrichs, 7-5, 4-6, 10-5 in the tie-breaker.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Brady Dunn (left) fist bumps Avery Gutierrez after winning a point during their doubles match. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Arrow Matthew Swenson, at No. 3 singles, picked up a 6-0, 6-0 win over Sua Vang, the first time in Swenson’s career he earned a victory by double bagel.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Matthew Swenson connects on a lob shot during a No. 3 singles match versus Luverne’s Sua Vang on Tuesday, April 22, at the PAS Courts. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Skyberg said the Arrows capitalized on the Cardinals’ mistakes, especially in the doubles matches.
Winter has been with the PAS tennis program since his freshman year when he played primarily junior varsity matches. Makhi was promoted to varsity, and competed in mainly singles as a sophomore. Last year, he formed a strong doubles team with Chase Wilson.
Blue Earth Area blanked PAS, 7-0, in a Big South Conference dual this past Friday.
The Arrows competed on the recently refurbished Schroeder Courts.
Courtside notes
The PAS schedule intensifies this week with matches on Tuesday at Redwood Valley followed by home matches versus powerhouse St. James Area (Thursday) and Fairmont (Friday).
Pipestone Area Schools’ Charles Haak returns a shot during the No. 2 doubles match versus Luverne on Tuesday, April 22, at the PAS Courts. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
INFORMATION
BOYS TENNIS
Tuesday, April 22 Result
At PAS Courts
Pipestone Area 5, Luverne 2
Singles
No. 1: Makhi Winter, P, d. Kaleb Hemme, 6-1, 6-0
No. 2: Caleb Kracht, L, d. Baptiste Philippon, 6-0, 6-1
No. 3: Matthew Swenson, P, d. Sua Vang, 6-0, 6-0
No. 4: Christopher Severns, L, won by default
Doubles
No. 1: Brady Dunn and Avery Gutierrez, P, d. Austin Sandbulte and Elijah Henrichs, 7-5, 4-6, 10-5
No. 2: Joel Cardenas and Charles Haak, P, d. Justin Mulder and Cooper Thone, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1)
No. 3: Austin Jorgenson and Mikah Weets, P, d. Tate VerSteeg and James Eggebrecht, 6-2, 6-1
Friday, April 25 Result
At Schroeder Courts, Blue Earth
Blue Earth Area 7, PAS 0
Singles
No. 1: Ryder Dutton, BEA, d. Makhi Winter, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2: Devin Haase, BEA, d. Brady Dunn, 6-0, 6-0
No. 3: Noah Hanson, BEA, d. Baptiste Philippon, 6-1, 6-1
No. 4: Mitchell Stevermer, BEA, d. Joel Cardenas, 6-1, 6-3
Doubles
No. 1: David Bautista and Nolan Hagedorn, BEA, d. Avery Gutierrez and Charles Haak, 6-0, 6-1
No. 2: Eli Goshorn and Connor Hoerth, BEA, d. Austin Jorgenson and Mikah Weets, 6-1, 6-1
No. 3: Caleb Goshorn and Orion Bernal, BEA, won by default