AV doubles team, Eagan singles player qualify for state
Class AA tennis tourney is next week at U of M
The Apple Valley doubles team of seniors Sam Hoyt and Tanner Rayman, along with Eagan singles player Zach Ekstein, will play in the individual portion of the state Class AA boys tennis tournament next week at the University of Minnesota.
Hoyt and Rayman advanced by winning the Section 3AA doubles championship Wednesday at Life Time Fitness in Lakeville. They were the No. 2 seed in the section tournament and defeated No. 1-seeded Tim Larson and Matthew McNutt of Bloomington Jefferson 6-4, 6-3 in the final.
This will be the first trip to state for the two Apple Valley players, who meet Minnetonka juniors Jason Gutierrez and William Lindfors in the first round of the Class AA doubles tournament at 10 a.m. June 7 at Baseline Tennis Center.
Ekstein, who was seeded seventh in the Section 3AA singles tournament, reached the championship match before losing to top-seeded Luke Robertson of Bloomington Jefferson 6-2, 6-2. Ekstein, a sophomore, then had to play Eastview senior Will Biernat for true second and a state tournament berth, and won the match 6-2, 6-4.
The loss to Robertson was the first of the season for Ekstein, who played No. 2 singles for Eagan in team competition. Ekstein will play Becker sophomore Jason Dilly in the first round of the Class AA singles tournament at 8 a.m. June 7, with the winner likely facing three-time defending state champion Dusty Boyer of Forest Lake in the quarterfinals.
Ekstein played in the 2011 state doubles tournament with Brendan Hollidge.
Class AA singles and doubles championship matches are 11:30 a.m. June 8 at Baseline Tennis Center.
Eagan will play in the Class AA team tournament beginning Tuesday at the Baseline Center. Defending state champion Rochester Mayo is the Wildcats’ first-round opponent at 10 a.m.
