SENIOR ALEX CRUZ concentrates on a volley for Webster City during a meet against Aplington-Parkersburg. (DFJ photo by Tyler Anderson)

Before engaging in the North Central Conference tournament, slated for 10 a.m. on May 3 in Clear Lake, the Webster City boys’ tennis team is still working to improve by playing quality opponents.

One of those opponents was Aplington-Parkersburg.

Hosting the Falcons on Tuesday at the Lynx Courts in Webster City, the Lynx came up short in a 7-2 decision. The purple and gold’s two wins came by way of forfeit.

Despite the setback, WCHS boys’ tennis coach Greta Nelson looked at the meet as a good barometer for her team.

“(Aplington-Parkersburg) has a solid tennis program with some talent and depth,” Nelson said. “These are the matches that teach us a lot and help us improve, especially as we approach the NCC tournament and districts. While the scores themselves may have been frustrating, I witnessed these players play some of their best tennis.”

In singles play, seniors Alex Cruz and Max Whitmore came up empty in a pair of 6-0 results against Tate Neymeyer and Grant Wedeking, respectively. Senior Jayden Wibholm also ran into some tough play against Adam Maske, falling via scores of 6-0 and 6-1.

Freshman Cael Alexander battled hard against Keegan Bolhuis, before falling in a pair of 6-1 decisions. Nelson was quick to praise Alexander for his hard work and positive attitude.

“(Alexander) has shown a lot of progress and is working his way up our varsity lineup,” Nelson said. “He played some great points at number-four singles, and coming off the court, all he could focus on was where he struggled and where he could improve.”

Junior Rogan Nepereny also put up a fight, before falling to Gabe Jacobson by way of 6-1 and 6-2 results.

On the doubles side of the meet, Cruz and senior Sergio Terrones fell to Wedeking and Maske in 6-1, 6-0 results, while Wibholm and Christeson shared the same outcome against Neymeyer and Bolhuis.

“Christeson and Wibholm had a similar experience at the number-two doubles,” Nelson said. “There were moments of frustration, but they’re smart players who know what adjustments need to be made.”

Due to the loss, the Lynx slipped to 2-4 in dual meets.

This past Thursday, the Lynx boys went back to work, welcoming in Clear Lake for a NCC matchup at the Lynx Courts in Webster City. Results from the meet will be reported in an upcoming edition of the Daily Freeman-Journal.