Mandan shuts out host Blue Jays

It’s a difficult task for any team that’s been searching for consistency to find it while playing one of the top teams in the state.

But that’s what the Blue Jay boys tennis team had in front of it against the Mandan Braves at Bolinger Courts on Tuesday night.

Still in pursuit of the team’s first victory, Jamestown coach Pat Mullowney said his team produced flashes of consistent play against the Braves, but in the end it was Mandan earning a 9-0 sweep over Jamestown.

“Mandan is one of the top teams in the West (Region), and they’re also in that top group in the state,” Mullowney said. “They’re a good program with experienced players and you have to tip your cap to what Mandan did out there.”

The Braves are currently 7-1 overall and 4-1 in West Region competition. They’ll be taking on the West’s other top team, Minot, on Thursday for the West Region regular season title.

“We had our opportunities in a few of the sets, and it would have been nice to get a few of those, but overall I thought our kids battled and played some terrific points out there,” Mullowney said. “We are still fighting those peaks and valleys with consistency, and we’ll continue to work on it.”

Jamestown’s Nick Watne battled hard at No. 1 singles against Mandan’s Ben Wanner, before falling 6-2, 7-5. Jamestown’s Braydon Love fell 6-0, 6-3 at No. 3 singles, while Nate Soulis (6-4, 6-1) and Ben Harris (6-1, 6-3) fell at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

“I thought Nick played a great second set. He was right there on the edge of going to a third game, and I was pleased with his effort,” Mullowney said. “Nate showed a good first set and was right there. Braydon fought back nicely in his match, as did Ben.”

Mandan went on to sweep Jamestown at doubles as well. Mandan’s Erik Porter and Kyler Vogel defeated Watne and Declan O’Higgins 6-2, 6-2 at No. 1.

“I thought our doubles overall played better than we did against Williston. We didn’t get any points to show for it, but we played some decent doubles out there,” Mullowney said. “We came up with some amazing points, but we missed some routine ones. We have to make the routine shots a little more reliable.”

Jamestown (0-7, 0-5 West Region) has two more West Region matches yet to play this week. The Jays travel to Bismarck on Thursday, before playing their final home match of the season against Dickinson on Saturday.

“Obviously we want to win some sets and take some steps toward winning a team match,” Mullowney said. “Bismarck is another strong team with a tough top six. We’ll go and give them heck and then get ready for our last home match.”

Mandan 9, Jamestown 0

Singles

No. 1: Ben Wanner, M def. Nick Watne, 6-2, 7-5

No. 2: Erik Porter, M def. Declan O’Higgins, 6-1, 6-0

No. 3: Kyler Vogel, M def. Braydon Love, 6-0, 6-3

No. 4: Nathan Berger, M def. Ashton Johnson, 6-1, 6-1

No. 5: Jackson Wenstrom, M def. Nate Soulis, 6-4, 6-1

No. 6: Brandon Schaner, M def. Ben Harris, 6-1, 6-3

Doubles

No. 1: Vogel/Porter, M def. Watne/O’Higgins, 6-2, 6-2

No. 2: Wanner/Berger, M def. Love/Soulis, 6-3, 6-0

No. 3: Wenstrom/Schaner, M def. Johnson/Nikolaus Fuchs, 6-3, 6-4.

Records: Mandan 7-1, 4-1 West Region; Jamestown 0-7, 0-5 West Region.

Sun sports writer Michael Savaloja can be reached at (701) 952-8461 or by email at mikes@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, jays, tennis