OWATONNA, Minnesota – The Ripon men's tennis program split a pair of matches on Saturday at the Owatonna Tennis, Pickleball and Fitness Center, falling 6-1 to Northwestern (Minn.) before rebounding to defeat Simpson 4-3.
Ripon (5-8) fell behind early in the opening match as Northwestern (4-10) swept all three doubles courts to gain the early lead. The Eagles picked up straight-set singles victories on the first, second and fourth lines to clinch the match, but
Austin Stevens gained a point for Ripon with a 7-6, 6-3 triumph on court three.
The opposition won courts five and six to close out the match.
In the afternoon finale, Simpson (1-8) grabbed the early lead by taking courts one and two in doubles. However,
Ryan Richter and
Kyle Flook teamed up for a 6-3 win on court three.
Ripon turned the tide in singles, winning four first sets. Flook got the Red Hawks on the board, earning a 6-0, 6-4 victory on court five. Then,
Caleb Sippel gave Ripon its first lead of the day with a 6-1, 6-4 triumph on the top line.
Ty Rondestvedt picked up a 6-2, 2-6, [10-2] win on the fourth line and the Storm won court two, as Ripon led 3-2 with two courts left.
Richter provided the clinching point for Ripon, overcoming his opponent on court six 7-5, 6-3. Simpson finished the match with a win on court three, but the Red Hawks still won the match 4-3.
NEXT UP: Ripon visits Edgewood at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday (March 30).
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