MANKATO &045; The dual-meet season ended for the Albert Lea High School boys’ tennis team with a 7-0 loss to Mankato East in the opening round of the Section 2AA tournament at the Mankato Indoor Tennis Center Wednesday.

&uot;The first time we played them it was 6-1, so it’s kind of like a step back, but we were competitive again,&uot; said coach Sean Gillam. &uot;Hopefully, we can build on the positive energy we’ve generated this season.&uot;

The closest match was No. 2 doubles, where Kurtis Bohrnstedt and Andrew Dyrdal teamed for the first time after playing singles all season. They won the first set 6-2 but lost the next two 7-6 (7-3 tiebreaker), 6-4.

Stephen Thorn and Greg Peterson lost 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles while Eric Hutchison and Andrew Haatvedt fell 7-5, 6-2 at No. 3.

The Cougars took the singles matches in straight sets. Adam Luebke lost 6-2, 6-2 at No. 1, Conner Keyeski lost 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2, Micah Holt fell 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3, and Corey Dieser was defeated 6-3, 6-3 at No. 4.

Holt and Dieser played No. 2 doubles for the Tigers this season.

Next up for the Tigers is the individual section tournament that starts next Friday.