This story is sponsored by: The Marshfield Tiger Booster Club
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – An early-season decision to move Marshfield junior Derek Reckner and freshman Evan Fait from singles to doubles proved to be a winning one for the Tigers’ duo.
Reckner and Fait, who are long-time friends and have played tennis together for countless hours through the years, went on a long winning streak once making the move to form Marshfield’s No. 1 doubles team and now find themselves heading to the 2016 WIAA State Individual Boys Tennis Tournament in Madison.
The Marshfield tandem takes a 15-3 record into a Division 1 No. 1 doubles first-round matchup with Eau Claire North’s Jackson Lindquist and Nick LaPoint at 1 p.m. Thursday at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
Reckner started the season as the Tigers’ No. 1 singles player, while Fait was at No. 2. After a few matches, the two were moved to form the No. 1 doubles team in order to help Marshfield compete better in its conference dual matches. The switch worked, as they went 5-0 during the regular season and finished second at the Wisconsin Valley Conference Tournament. They finished fourth at the WIAA Division 1 sectional, earning a spot at the state meet.
“We’ve known each other for a while now and have played tennis with each other,” Fait said. “I think it was a good match and we play well together. We’re comfortable around each other and play good tennis together.”
Reckner said he and Fait have meshed well, each bringing something to the table.
“I think it’s a good balance,” Reckner said. “Evan with his serving and me more at the net. We’ve always kind of had that click on the court. It’s definitely been fun being able to work together and to now play in something that means something.”
Reckner and Fait lost in the second round of the sectional to the Eau Claire North pair, losing 6-0, 6-1, as Lindquist and LaPoint (15-0) kept their unbeaten record in tact on the way to the sectional title. Despite the final score, Reckner said he thought he and Fait played well.
“We both came off the court feeling good,” Reckner said. “They had some really good pace in their shots. We’re going to go into hit the same way, not worry about how we have to beat these guys, this or that, just hit it and get it in.”
Fait is taking away the positive aspects of their match with the North team and feels confident heading into state.
“We had some good rallies with them, and even though the score didn’t show it, it was pretty close,” Fait said. “We could take it (Thursday).”