BHS boys come oh so close

PORTAGE — The Baraboo High School boys tennis team won three of its four singles matches, and all three of its doubles teams went to a third set in a dual with Portage on Thursday. But all three doubles teams lost their deciding sets in a 4-3 loss.

"You have to win a doubles match somewhere along the line," BHS coach Karll Kruse said.

Alex Boehlke, Graham Greve and Alex Mann all picked up wins for the Thunderbirds in singles action.

At No. 2 singles, Boehlke won convincingly over John Loomans, 6-2, 6-0.

Greve continued his solid play of late with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Jake Barreau.

Mann won his most lopsided match of the season, 6-1, 6-2 over Trevor Bonham.

Kris Kruse was the only singles player for Baraboo to lose his match, as he fell to Chris Zimmerman, 6-4, 7-6 (3).

All three doubles team lost 6-3 in the third set, leaving coach Kruse scratching his head and wondering how his teams keep falling short.

"It's not for a lack of ability or experience," he said. "When you have two players who are good, any time you get them together they should be better than they are separate. That's just not happening."

At No. 1 doubles, Justin Graupman and Matt Grill lost 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3 to Mike Bain and Nate Fredrick.

No. 2 doubles team Ian McArthur and Jordan Wyss lost 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to Joe Marcoviller and Matt Rohrbeck.

The freshman team of Jonathon Wise and Joel Szymanski lost 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 to Mark Gutierrez and Nate Mael.

"Our freshmen, I'm happy with the progress we're getting with those guys," coach Kruse said. "They're competitors and they have fire in their eyes."

The Thunderbirds travel to McFarland for a dual today.

Portage 4, Baraboo 3

1. Chris Zimmerman (P) def. Kris Kruse, 6-4, 7-6 (3); 2. Alex Boehlke (B) def. John Loomans, 6-2, 6-0; 3. Graham Greve (B) def. Jake Barreau, 6-2, 6-2; 4. Alex Mann (B) def. Trevor Bonham, 6-1, 6-2.

1. Mike Bain and Nate Fredrick (P) def. Justin Graupman and Matt Grill, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3; 2. Joe Marcoviller and Matt Rohrbeck (P) def. Ian McArthur and Jordan Wyss, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3; 3. Mark Gutierrez and Nate Mael (P) def. Jonathon Wise and Joel Szymanski, 6-4, 0-6, 6-3.