Tennis

       The 2024-25 school year is history but the fall season for 2025-26 is just a little over three months away and the girls tennis season is even closer than that. Here's a look at the schedule for the ladies.

Friday, August 15 Aitkin at Park Rapids Tournament (10:30am)

Monday, August 18 Aitkin at Mora Invite

Wednesday, August 20 Duluth Marshall at Aitkin

Thursday, August 21 Stella Maris at Aitkin (9am)

Friday, August 22 Aitkin Invite (9am)

Monday, August 25 Triangular with Grand Rapids and Denfeld at Aitkin

Thursday, September C-I at Aitkin

Monday, September 8 Aitkin at Denfeld

Tuesday, September 9 Pierz at Aitkin

Thursday, September 11 Little Falls at Aitkin

Monday, September 15 Aitkin at Wadena

Tuesday, September 16 Aitkin at Pequot Lakes

Thursday, September 18 Aitkin at Foley

Tuesday, September 23 Pine City at Aitkin

Thursday, September 25 Aitkin at Mora

Saturday, September 27 Aitkin at Conference Tourney at Foley

     Zander Peterson got back to the match he wanted, a chance to make next weeks State Tennis Tourney. Unfortunately, the tennis Gods were not in his favor and despite a great match for "true second" he came up short, losing a dramatic three-set marathon, falling 7-5 in the final set to Landon Wheeler of Duluth Marshall. The day started with a loss in the semi-final to top seed Ethan Lavan of Cloquet 6-1, 6-3. He then defeated Payton Marks of Rock Ridge by way of an injury to Parks and he withdrew. Zander had to wait for the title match to conclude, won by Lavan 6-2, 6-0. He then faced Wheeler and after winning the first set 6-2, Wheeler came back to win the second 6-2. The final set went 1-0, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6 and finally 7-6  Wheeler as he heads to State. Peterson was visibly upset after the match, "I am just extremely disappointed, but being known by everybody as a dude who is fair and enjoyable to play against is far more important to me than winning. I played good through it all, I'm not disappointed with my tennis." 

       Gobbler tennis player Zander Peterson was so close to the State Tournament last year he didn't really realize it. Once he did, his focus turned up a notch and he has a bigger goal in 2025. Judging by the start he is off to so far, that goal is becoming clearer with each passing match. He has won four straight matches beating Isiah Hildebrand of Hibbing, Brady Berglund of Pine City, Grady Giffen of Grand Rapids and William Reisinger of St. Cloud Cathedral. He knows the road is still long, but he has done the work to up his game for a tournament run later on in the season. What has it taken to get this far? Zander told me the answer, "Over the past five years I've spent lots and lots of hours to get to the level of tennis I'm at right now. During the summers I would consistently be on court 10-15 hours a week, mostly by myself, serving and hitting off the ball machine and playing matches and tournaments. I've been incredibly blessed with awesome parents that drove me around and paid a lot of money for my tennis endeavors, whether it is shoes, (3-4 pair a year), strings, rackets, grips, gas or tournament fees. I've also been lucky to meet an awesome family in Chanhassen, the Kletts, who have let me spend countless weekends at their house in the Cities over the winter, which allowed me to play multiple tournaments in the Twin Cities where they have indoor courts. I would not have been able to do that without their help." That sounds like a blueprint for success and Zander has the support from longtime Coach Jen Waldorf as well. "He's a good kid, he has improved so much over the last year. He really puts in the work in the off season, and it shows. He's fun to be around and he deserves the credit." Zander has a couple of big matches coming up this week, "This will be a big week for me as I play two of the top 12 players in the state, Joe Sampson of Mora on Tuesday and Wyatt Helberg of North Branch at Aitkin on Friday. Both will be good tests for me." I have watched Zander this season and his serve is a bullet, I wouldn't want to be on the other end of it. It should "serve" him well this week and beyond!