BISMARCK — The Minot High boys tennis team lost just its third match of the season and first in the West Region Thursday in a tight 5-4 defeat to Bismarck Century.

“All the credit to Century as they came out from the start and beat us,” MHS coach Scott DeLorme said. “They were better at every spot and that’s a credit to them. Unfortunately, we were never able to get into a very good rhythm and when things got tight, we struggled to win the big points.”

Three singles wins by Charlie Wentz, Peyton Huss and Rory Taney gave the Magi a fighting chance, but they lost two out of the three doubles contest to lose the match by a point.

“Mason and Zach Diehl teamed together at No. 2 doubles to get the fourth point for us,” DeLorme said.

The Magi (10-3, 4-1 WDA) will now need a win over Mandan on Saturday to secure the No. 1 seed at the regional tournament. The regular season ending match against Mandan will start at noon Saturday at Hammond Park in Minot.

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