By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School boys tennis team turned in a strong showing April 26 at the Delavan-Darien Invitational at Delavan-Darien High School.
The Elks finished second overall in the seven-team meet to Grafton, a state powerhouse in WIAA Division 1 boys tennis.
The Elks finished second at Nos. 3 and 4 singles and third at No. 2 doubles and No. 3 singles.
Grant Saari at No. 3 singles lost to Grafton’s Sam Bucheger 6-3, 6-0 in the title match and Matt Nelson at No. 4 singles lost 6-1, 6-1 to Grafton’s Michael Rathke in the title match.
Logan Riese and Alex Roberts at No. 2 doubles finished third, as did Drayke Webster and Joe Koresec at No. 3 doubles. Webster and Koresec were called-up from the Elks’ junior varsity.
The Elks’ No. 1 singles player, Carter Olson, finished fourth.
“He has shown steady improvement throughout the season,” coach Donna Neshek said. “He played very competitively against all his opponents.”
The Elks’ No. 1 doubles duo of Aaron Wales and Griffin Sweeney finished fifth, as did Alex Jensen at No. 2 singles.
In team standings, Racine Case finished third and Racine St. Catherine’s fourth. Milwaukee School of Languages finished fifth, Delavan-Darien sixth and Kenosha Bradford seventh.
The Elks beat Burlington 6-1 April 22 in a Southern Lakes Conference match at Burlington. The Elks swept the doubles matches.
Tom Middleton and Alex Roberts at No. 2 doubles lost their first set 7-5 to Sam Skrundz and Spencer Spiewak and won the second two 6-2, 6-4.
“(They) kept their mental toughness to pull off a 3-setter and beat Burlington,” Neshek said. “They were down 3-2 in the last set and persevered.”
The Elks will play host to Union Grove today in a SLC match at home.
The Elks play Friday with Fort Atkinson and Jefferson in a quadrangular at Rock River Park near Johnson Creek.
