FAIRMONT – Nobody associated with the Albert Lea High School boys’ tennis team knew exactly when the Tigers last won a meet.

Tuesday, April 09, 2002

FAIRMONT – Nobody associated with the Albert Lea High School boys’ tennis team knew exactly when the Tigers last won a meet.

Now it doesn’t matter.

The Tigers ended a skid that spanned four years with a 7-0 nonconference triumph at Fairmont in the season opener Monday.

&uot;I think it’s good to get the win out of the way,&uot; said coach Sean Gillam. &uot;We came into the season not aiming at one, we’re aiming a lot higher, but you’ve got to get that first one.&uot;

The last one, by the way, was May 16, 1997, when the Tigers won 5-2 at Faribault as coach Orrie Jirele’s squad finished 3-11.

Though Fairmont is traditionally a strong program, Gillam said the Cardinals graduated five seniors and have no seniors this year. Only one of the matches went three sets.

Matt Entorf had his serve working and dominated at No. 1 singles, winning 6-1, 6-0.

The closest match was No. 2 singles, where Adam Luebke won 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 6-1. Paul Marlin won 7-5, 6-2 at No. 3 singles and Conner Keyeski prevailed 6-3, 6-3 at No. 4.

Matt Wulff and John Mattson set the tone at doubles, rolling to a 6-0, 6-1 triumph at No. 1. Steve Thorn and Karl Bohrnstedt won 7-5, 6-1 at No. 2. Greg Peterson and Andrew Dyrdal won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3.

The Tigers host Owatonna in their Big Nine opener Friday at 4:30 on the Southwest Middle School courts.