Tennis team wins four of six in weekend matches
The Packers' tennis team had a mixed bag last week, winning their only meet on Thursday before splitting their two meets on both Friday and Saturday, and then winning their meet Monday evening.
In Thursday's match against Grand Forks-Red River, rain postponed singles competition and cancelled the doubles matches. In singles, the boys were shut out, losing 6-0 as a team.
The first match on Friday against Williston saw a complete reversal for the Packers from the night before, as they shut out the Coyotes 9-0.
The second Friday match against Bismarck Century was less successful.
Junior Brady Ballweber had a hand in the only two victories for the Packers, winning both his singles match and his doubles match with sophomore Keyan Farahmand, as the team lost 7-2.
Saturday was a similar situation for the Packers. Ballweber and Farahmand were the backbone for the team, winning both in singles and doubles, but the team fell 5-4 to Mandan. Juniors Mick Sikorski and Michael Holland got the other victory for the team in a doubles match.
After losing their first Saturday match, the team came roaring back in the afternoon against Jamestown, everyone picked up a victory as the team won 9-0.
The Packers continued that momentum in their match on Monday afternoon, as they ran through the Valley City Hi-Liners by a score of 9-0.
The Packers are now 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the Eastern Dakota Conference, which is good enough for fifth place out of nine teams, but only 1.5 games behind the EDC-leading Grand Forks-Red River Roughriders.
While their record could be better, Packers head coach Chad Anderson has been fairly happy with his team's performance so far this year, especially in that of Ballweber.
"Brady has been huge for us," Anderson said. "When you have a strong No. 1 like that, it really helps."
The team will host both Bismarck at noon and Minot at 3:30 p.m. on Friday before hosting the 11th annual West Fargo Boys' Invitational, which will feature 16 teams, on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Anderson believes that his team his ready for the invitational.
"Wind will be a factor. It always is here," Anderson said, laughing. "Our team will be strong though."
Facilities used for the Invitational include West Fargo High School, Fargo North, Fargo South, Fargo Davies, Elephant Park, Island Park, Discovery, Bennett Elementary and the Concordia Tennis Courts.
