ST. PETER &045; According to coach Sean Gillam, it’s a sign of respect for the Albert Lea High School boys’ tennis team to be invited to events like Monday’s St. Peter Invitational.

And the Tigers showed they’re worthy of it.

The ALHS boys played well in their first time ever at the tournament, earning third place at two positions as well as finishing fourth, sixth and seventh at three others.

Stephen Thorn and Greg Peterson placed third at No. 1 doubles, winning two of three matches.

A surprise third-place finish was by Jay Ackerman and Eric Shahan, who usually play junior varsity for the Tigers. They won two of three at No. 2 doubles.

Micah Holt and Corey Dieser teamed for sixth place at No. 1 doubles. Eric Hutchison and Andrew Haatvedt were seventh at No. 2 doubles.

&uot;We came out pretty strong across the board at doubles,&uot; said Gillam.

Conner Keyeski was the Tigers’ top placewinner at singles, winning one of three matches to finish fourth at No. 2.

&uot;He played real well today,&uot; said Gillam. &uot;He really turned up his game.&uot;

The other singles placewinner was Andrew Dyrdal, who took seventh at No. 3.

Adam Luebke sustained a leg injury in his first match at No. 1 singles and finished 0-3 for the day. Kurtis Bohrnstedt did not place at No. 3 singles.

&uot;Give Adam credit for gutting it out on basically one leg,&uot; said Gillam. &uot;Kurtis and Andrew played hard today but, as good as they are, I think they both could have done a little better.&uot;

The Tigers face Faribault in a Big Nine dual meet today on the Southwest Middle School courts.