There are times during the season when the Albert Lea High School boys’ tennis team is in a David vs. Goliath situation.

Thursday was one of those days.

The Tigers hosted Big Nine power Rochester Mayo and lost 7-0 on the Southwest Middle School courts.

According to coach Sean Gillam, the Spartans could be the best team the Tigers will see this year.

&uot;In talking to their coaches, they lost only 4-3 to defending state champion Minneapolis South, and they beat Edina,&uot; said Gillam.

The Tigers nearly pulled off an upset at No. 1 doubles, where senior captains John Mattson and Matt Wulff lost 6-4, 7-6, dropping the tiebreaker 7-4. They led 5-4 in the second set.

&uot;The idea was you have to bring your best stuff against a team like Mayo, and they did,&uot; said Gillam. &uot;I’ve seen a lot of improvement from both of those players.&uot;

Paul Marlin and Steve Thorn lost 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles while the No. 3 tandem of eighth-graders Andrew Dyrdal and Greg Peterson fell 6-1, 6-2.

The Tigers managed to take at least a game in each of the singles matches.

Matt Entorf was defeated 6-0, 6-3 at No. 1 singles. Adam Luebke lost 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2. Kurtis

Bohrnstedt fell 6-0, 6-2 at No. 3. Conner Keyeski lost 6-1, 6-0 at No. 4.

&uot;The kids have played with a ton of desire, a ton of effort,&uot; said Gillam. &uot;They haven’t always played smart and they haven’t always played aggressive. But we’re getting there.&uot;

Gillam is hopeful for a couple victories next week as the Tigers travel to Mankato East Tuesday and host Austin Thursday.