Austin Packers boys’ tennis falls to Northfield 5-2

The Austin Packers boys’ tennis team was finally able to play its home opener at the Wescott Athletic Complex Thursday versus Big 9 Conference rival Northfield after having four previous home matches postponed due to the weather.  In the action on the court on a sun-splashed Thursday afternoon, the Raiders earned three-set wins at second and third singles and swept the doubles matches on their way to a 5-2 win.

Joey Schammel and Cole Hebrink were at the top of their games yet again at No. 1 and 2 singles, respectivley Thursday as Schammel downed Anthony Amys-Roe in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 and Hebrink also won in straight sets over Blake Simon of the Raiders 6-1, 6-0.  Northfield, though, turned the match in their favor when Owen Wheeler outdueled Thomas Garry of the Packers at No. 3 singles 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 and Jackson Hessian dropped the first set to Austin’s Owen Carroll at No. 4 singles 7-6, but he rallied to take the next two sets 6-2 and 6-3.  Northfield swept all three doubles matches in straight sets on their way to the win.

Austin returns to action on Saturday for a Big 9 Conference triangular in Owatonna, with the Packers playing Faribault at 11:00 a.m. and the host Huskies at 1:00 p.m.