WASECA &045;&160;The Albert Lea boys’ tennis team opened up its 2006 season with an impressive 5-2 victory over Waseca.

Philippe Perrin set the tone for the night at No. 1 singles dominating action on his way to a 6-0, 6-0 victory.

&8220;Philippe did a nice job of controlling his match and he is going to be a strong No. 1 for us all year,&8221; said Albert Lea head coach Tom Dyrdal.

Greg Peterson won with ease at No. 2 by scores of 6-2, 6-1 and Jon Hatcher rolled to a win by a final of 6-1, 6-2.

Dan Howard fell in his No. 4 singles match but it was close the entire way as he dropped the first set 4-6 and could not take the second set tiebreaker 6-7 (8-10).

The Tigers’ top doubles team of Andrew Dyrdal and Corey Dieser got off to a strong start winning 6-3, 6-1 before Josh Svendsen and Mike Bosma lost at No. 2 2-6, 3-6.

Jon Bosma and Josh Vu closed out varsity action winning their doubles match 6-2, 6-3.

The Tigers did not show many early season jitters as even their losses were by close margins.

The Albert Lea junior varsity won their match by a final of 6-1.

Winning matches for the Tigers were Scott Johnson, Jake Williams, Geoffrey Cope, Elliot Light, Eric Bowron, Evan Nolander, Drew Passingham, Scott Strom, Joe Polis and Sean Templeman.

&8220;I am real pleased with the whole team’s effort,&8221; said Dyrdal.

&8220;We were a little rusty in some spots, but it was a good way to start the season.&8221;

The Tigers are back in action today when they face Fairmont.