Kari Gibb/MDN Minot High senior Grayson Schaeffer stretches to return a volley against Bismarck Century in the number one singles at the WDA dual at Hammond Park on Monday, August 26.

The Bismarck Century Patriots made the trip to Minot to take on the Magicians in a Western Dakota Association (WDA) dual meet in boys tennis. Minot High was ranked the top team in the WDA preseason coaches poll with 46 points while Century came in at fourth with 31 points. The visitors worked to a near upset but fell just short as the Magicians took the meet with a 5-4 win.

Senior Grayson Schaeffer faced Century senior Charlie Holzer at the number one singles. Schaeffer would take the first set 6-1 and be trailing in the second set 1-4 until he retired from the contest with a sore knee.

Minot High senior Aidan Diehl defeated Century senior Carter Anderson 6-7(5), 6-3 and 7-5 at the number two singles. Magician eighth grader Nolan More lost to Century senior Jaden Kleinjon 6-4, 6-3 at the number three singles.

At the number four singles match, Minot High senior Nolan Callahan faced Century sophomore Ryan Mullally with the Patriot taking the win 6-1, 3-6 and 5-7 over the Magician. At that point in the dual meet, the visiting team held a 3-1 lead over Minot High.

Minot High senior Thomas Griffith beat Century senior Eli Bender at the number five singles 6-3, 6-7(10) and 7-6(4) while junior Oliver Thompson beat Century freshman Mason Wagendorf 6-1, 6-0 to even the team scores at 3-3 at that point.

The day would come down to the three doubles matches. At first doubles, Minot High team of Schaeffer and Diehl would defeat Holzer and Anderson 6-1, 6-3 while Callahan and Griffith at second doubles would fall to Century team of Kleinjan and Mullally 6-2, 4-6 and 5-7 to tie the team marks at 4-4 with one doubles match to play.

At number three, Moore and Conor Odahlen would defeat Bender and Hayden Parent 7-6(8), 6-1 for the 5-4 advantage and the win.

Minot High faces Bismarck Legacy today for the next WDA dual in Bismarck.

2024 WDA Coaches’ Poll

1. Minot High, 46 points (4)

2. Mandan, 43 points (3)

3. Bismarck Legacy, 40 points (1)

4. Bismarck Century, 31 points

5. Williston, 22 points

6. Jamestown, 16 points

7. Minot North, 14 points

8. Bismarck High, 12 points

First place votes in parenthesis