Despite missing part of its lineup, the Albert Lea boys’ tennis team won its season opener 5-2 Thursday at Mankato East.

The Tigers won the top three singles and top two doubles matches.

Taylor Herfindahl led Albert Lea at No. 1 singles with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Kameron Saiki. Garrett Matz posted a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Brandon Sloniker at No. 2, and Matt Carlson won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 3.

At No. 1 doubles, Albert Lea’s Austin Dulitz and Andy Woitas beat Brendan Loayza and Cody Shetka 4-6, 6-1 and 6-3. Grant Herfindahl and Calen Hoelscher produced a 6-2, 6-3 win for the Tigers at No. 2.

Albert Lea assistant coach Matt Levorson said the Tigers played without three varsity players. Two of them had flights delayed from a choir trip to Hawaii.

However, Levorson said JV players rose to the challenge.

“We had players from No. 2 and 3 doubles who stepped up from JV and played well,” he said. “It was a good first match.”

Next, Albert Lea (1-0, 1-0 Big Nine) will host Red Wing at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.