One of the goals for the 2003 Albert Lea High School boys’ tennis team was to win a Big Nine dual meet for the first time in five years and, according to coach Sean Gillam, if the Tigers played Faribault five times this year, they’d probably win three of them.

But Tuesday was not their day.

The Tigers played well, according to Gillam, improving three points from last year against Faribault while falling 4-3 on the Southwest Middle School courts.

&uot;I was pleased with the way we played at a lot of positions, but I won’t be totally pleased with the outcome until we get that first Big Nine victory,&uot; said Gillam.

Kurtis Bohrnstedt picked up the Tigers’ lone singles victory, rolling to a 6-1, 6-0 decision at the No. 3 position.

&uot;Kurtis just dominated,&uot; said Gillam.

So did Micah Holt and Corey Dieser, who cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 triumph at No. 2 doubles.

The other win was at No. 3 doubles, where Eric Hutchison and Paul Marlin prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 6-0.

&uot;It was good to see those guys get a win,&uot; said Gillam.

Stephen Thorn and Greg Peterson came close at No. 1 doubles, where they won the first set 6-3 but dropped the next two by the same score.

&uot;They played real hard,&uot; said Gillam. &uot;They were disappointed, because a win would have given our team the win, but I give those guys credit for how far they have came from last year.&uot;

Adam Luebke, still feeling the effects of a pulled muscle a day earlier in a tournament, lost 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles. Conner Keyeski was defeated 6-3, 7-6 (7-5 tiebreaker) at No. 2 singles and Andrew Dyrdal fell 6-0, 6-3 at No. 4.

Gillam said he sensed it was a meeting of two programs going in opposite directions, evidenced by the Falcons’ low numbers and the Tigers’ 10-0 dominance in junior varsity matches.

&uot;You’ve got to give Faribault credit for getting the win today,&uot; said Gillam. &uot;But there’s no doubt in my mind we will surpass them at Big Nine time.&uot;

The Tigers travel to Rochester Mayo for a Big Nine dual meet Thursday.