Tom Dyrdal knew his team would be in for a battle against Mankato East, but the Tigers got the big points to swing their way in a section quarterfinal match, 4-3.

&8220;I knew the score was going to be 4-3 I just didn’t know which way it would go,&8221; said the Albert Lea head coach.

Philippe Perrin set the tone early for the Tigers dominating his match at No. 1 singles winning 6-0, 6-0.

Albert Lea’s top doubles team of Corey Dieser and Andrew Dyrdal was also victorious winning 7-6 (7-2), 6-3.

&8220;We felt like we could get wins at both No. 1 spots it was just a matter of where else we would,&8221; said coach Dyrdal.

One of the other wins came at No. 3 doubles where Josh Vu and Josh Svendsen controlled their match winning with ease 6-1, 6-2.

The swing match that went the Tigers’ way came at No. 2 singles where senior Greg Peterson continued to play strong tennis winning 6-2, 6-4.

&8220;I think they thought they were going to win that match,&8221; said coach Dyrdal. &8220;But Greg has the ability to change up his game and use spin and slice or go to the power and that is what he did.&8221;

Scott Storm played well at No. 3 singles but lost 4-6, 3-6 and Mike Bosma fell 0-6, 1-6 at No. 4.

Mankato’s other victory came at No. 2 doubles where Jon Hatcher and Jon Bosma fell 5-7, 3-6.

The Tigers will now take on top-seeded Eden Prairie at the Swanson Tennis Center at Gustavus Adulphus Tuesday.

The good news didn’t stop there for the Tigers as both Dieser and Andrew Dyrdal were named to the Big Nine All-Conference Team, and coach Dyrdal was named the Coach of the Year in the conference.

&8220;This group more than any other I have had has played closer to its potential and it is a fun group to be around,&8221; said coach Dyrdal.