No match will be easy for the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team this season as this year’s team adjusts to new roles this season.

The Tigers are dealing with the loss of four starters from last year and every match will be crucial for the team to prevail.

Albert Lea learned that as it battled New Prague in a 4-3 loss Monday at Albert Lea High School that had three matches go to three sets.

“We just have to keep working on finishing,” said Tigers head coach Sean Gillam. “A lot of those points were close.”

Albert Lea came out ahead in the two of the matches that went to three sets, but need another match to go its way for the victory.

The Tigers got a three-set victory from Brian Reindl at No. 3 singles. Reindl defeated Jared Burton 4-6, 6-0, 6-2. At No. 1 doubles Kevin Zogg and Noah Christopherson came through with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win on a windy day. Albert Lea got its third victory at No. 3 doubles when Jeff Thorstad and Dyllan Engerbretson defeated David Llm and Billy Sonnek 6-0, 6-0.

The Tigers came up short in their four other matches on the day. At No. 1 singles Kyle See-Rockers battled in a 4-6, 2-6 loss to Joe Morris. Luke Thompson lost 1-6, 1-6 to Kam Manthe at No. 2 singles and Andy Kjos lost 3-6, 0-6 to Kyle Chevalier at No. 4 singles while Luke Cheever and Logan Tufte dropped a three-set match 6-0, 0-6, 5-7 to Evin Hendrix and Andy Roach.

The Trojans do not have a senior on their team this season and their lineup was largely made up of freshmen and sophomores.

Albert Lea was without two of its senior captains Monday. Ben Robinson and Joe Polis were both ineligible. Robinson was ineligible because of paperwork and Polis hadn’t completed a physical prior to the beginning of the season.

Gillam was pleased with the effort from the team, especially picking up two, three-set victories in the first match of the season.

Albert Lea will face a challenge Saturday in Fairmont against the Cardinals who return a senior-dominated team.

New Prague 4, Albert Lea 3

Singles

No. 1 Joe Morris (NP) def. Kyle SeeRockers 6-4, 6-2

No. 2 Kam Manthe (NP) def. Luke Thompson 6-1, 6-1

No. 3 Brian Reindl (AL) def. Jared Burton 4-6, 6-0, 6-2

No. 4 Kyle Chevalier (NP) def. Andy Kjos 6-3, 6-0

Doubles

No. 1 Kevin Zogg, Noah Christopherson (AL) def. Joe Klehr, Mario Najera, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3

No. 2 Evin Hendrix, Andy Roach (NP) def. Luke Cheever, Logan Tufte 0-6, 6-0, 7-5

No. 3 Jeff Thorstad, Dyllan Engerbretson (AL) def. David Llm, Billy Sonnek 6-0, 6-0.