WORTHINGTON -- The threat of impending rain didn’t stop Worthington Trojans Kyle Janssen and Cade Lindner from coming from behind to defeat Fairmont doubles rivals Tony Joseph and Blake Haugen Monday.
But the rain did.
Janssen and Lindner, competing at No. 1 doubles, lost the first set 5-7 at the local tennis courts but rallied to win the second set 8-7 (9-7 tiebreaker) as light rain began to fall. After a 10-minute delay, heaters and squeegees were used to dry the courts to complete the final match left unresolved. Before the courts were ready, however, the rain resumed.
Match over. Worthington thus missed its chance to end its dual with Fairmont on a winning note. As it ended, the Trojans captured two victories, with Kipton Jensen defeating Tyrell Zieske 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 at No. 4 singles and the No. 2 doubles team of Pokway Taw and Max Langerud winning 6-1, 6-2 over Connor Madsen and Thomas Klanderud.
Final team score: 4-2 in Fairmont’s favor, one result short of a complete meet.
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Both teams missed players due to prior commitments, so some of the doubles teams were put together on the fly. One of those was Taw-Langerud, but you wouldn’t know this was their first competitive match together by looking at the score.
“When I was serving, it was pretty good. We were communicating pretty good,” said Taw.
“Taw’s definitely the best at volleying, consistently getting it down the middle for points,” said his partner.
“And Max was good at the net,” Taw replied.
At No. 1 singles, Worthington sophomore Blaine Doeden played a solid first set against Fairmont junior Carter Klanderud, though losing 6-4. The Trojan actually led 4-3 at one point. But in the second set the Cardinals stayed sharp while Doeden mishit some volleys down the stretch. The second-set score was 6-1.
At No. 2 singles, Fairmont’s Tyler Head prevailed 6-1, 6-0 over Worthington’s Leo Duarte. And at No. 3 singles, the Cards’ Andy Hagen took a competitive three-setter from the Trojans’ Sully Merrigan, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
Fairmont also won at No. 3 doubles as Ben Hernes and Aaron Hendricks beat Carter Ponto and Lam Pham 6-3, 6-1.
A soggy WHS head coach Mike Marquardt was pleased, overall, with the Trojans’ performance -- especially with their grit during less-than-sterling conditions. The match began in a strong cool breeze and ended, of course, in rain.
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“We knew it was going to be a good battle. I had different people step up,” Marquardt said. “I think in this one we were there. We had opportunities.”
