The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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  • Mankato East's Brendan Loayza returns a shot at the net during his doubles match Friday at the East courts. Pat Christman

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May 11, 2012

East looks for No. 1 seed in playoffs

By Shane Frederick

MANKATO — Tennis playoffs begin next week, and Mankato East has hopes of being the No. 1 seed in the Southern Division of Section 2AA.

The Cougars finished unbeaten against section opponents this season, and most of their success came in singles play.

However, the team is hoping its doubles duos can give the singles players a little breathing room in the postseason.

“They’re young,” senior and No. 4 singles player Brandon Welter said. “It’s good that they’ve been competitive. They’re learning, whether they’re winning or losing.”

East closed out the regular season on Friday afternoon with a 6-1 Big Nine Conference victory over Faribault at the East courts. Two of the three doubles teams were winners.

The No. 1 team of Nate Manning and Kameron Saiki won its second match of the week and the season, 6-0, 6-1, and the No. 3 team of Jaakko Jarvikare and Cody Shetka was also a straight-set winner.

The No. 2 team of Griffin Bibbs and Brendan Loayza lost its first set 6-4 and bounced back to win the second 6-3 before losing the 10-point tiebreaker that replaced a full third set.

“Our singles have played well all year,” said Manning, a senior. “We should always get three or four wins there. Our doubles started out struggling but have come on late in the year. I hope we can keep that going in sections.”

In singles play Friday, East lost just two games, with No. 2 Dominic Cannella and No. 3 Chris Liu each winning 6-0, 6-0. No. 1 Mason Bultje and Welter each won 6-0, 6-1.

Bultje and Liu each have 12 wins this season. Cannella and Welter have 10 apiece.

“It’s nice to know we can rely on (the singles players,” Manning said. “But we know we’re going to have to get a doubles win. Most teams have at least one good singles player.”

First-year coach Paul Williams agreed.

“We’re happy with what we’re seeing in doubles,” he said. “A win there would help relieve some pressure on our singles players. I think they’re peaking at the right time.”

East (7-9) will compete in the Big Nine Conference tournament today in Rochester. Section play is scheduled to begin Tuesday, with seeding taking place on Sunday.

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