In the first round of the Section 2AA Boys Tennis Tournament, the No. 8-seeded Eagles coasted with the wind to a 7-0 shutout win over the No. 11-seeded Mankato West Scarlets at New Ulm High School.

While New Ulm High School is known for getting its share of wind on top of a hill on the east side of town, wind gusts routinely passed 40 miles per hour Monday afternoon, giving players an added challenge in addition to it being playoffs.

For No. 1 singles player and Eagles senior Charlie Weidman, however, it was just another day and one he wrapped up in short order. Weidman defeated Colton Westberg 6-0, 6-0, being the first player to finish his match.

“I think we’re just really used to playing in the wind because every practice every day is windy,” Weidman said. “So I just tried to get the team to be confident going into the match that we know how to deal with this, and that’s what worked.”

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau New Ulm No. 2 singles player Dan Brownfield watches the ball during a Section 2AA boys tennis playoff match Mankato West on Tuesday at New Ulm High School.

Weidman has been playing Westberg, a fellow senior, for four years now, so he also has had plenty of experience knowing what works against him.

“Colton and I have played each other for like four years, so I just know his game and he knows mine, and I don’t think he likes playing in the wind too much [laughs],” Weidman said. “So that’s what I capitalized with.”

While Weidman wasted little time winning his match, he said his serve and returns were the trickiest part of navigating the higher winds.

“Today I just underhanded served for the part,” he said. “Serving and then returning the ball when you’re against the wind, you have to hit very hard.”

New Ulm’s No. 2 singles player Dan Brownfield had a comfortable 6-2 win in his first set against Calvin Downs, but Downs came back to take the second set 6-7 (5). Brownfield ended up taking the third set 16-14, however, to win the match.

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau New Ulm No. 1 doubles player Thomas Lehne returns the ball during a Section 2AA boys tennis playoff match Mankato West on Tuesday at New Ulm High School.

At No. 3 singles, Isaac Dittmer defeated Isaac Senn 6-1, 6-2, while Griffin Lehne defeated Wuatt Homemann 6-1, 7-6 (3) at No. 4 singles.

At No. 1 doubles, Wyatt Feucht and Thomas Lehne defeated Patrick Kramer and Marco Jakovich 6-2, 6-2, while the No. 2 doubles team of Everett Brown and Ryan Johnson took a three-setter over Xander Dieksen and Colin Fredrickson 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. At No. 3 doubles, Hayden Owens and Cole Frederick defeated Vance Valvick and Henry Weir 7-5, 7-5.

The Eagles now will play at No. 6 Shakopee in the next round on Thursday. The section finals take place at Gustavus Adolphus College’s Swanson Tennis Center in St. Peter on May 19, while the section individual tournament begins May 22 at Gustavus.

With the season winding down, Weidman is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“I do feel more confident now just because the whole season’s behind me now,” Weidman said. “We’re looking forward to playing Shakopee, even though they’re going to be tough.”

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau New Ulm No. 3 doubles player Cole Frederick underhands the ball during a Section 2AA boys tennis playoff match Mankato West on Tuesday at New Ulm High School.

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau New Ulm No. 3 doubles player Hayden Owens prepares for a return at the net during a Section 2AA boys tennis playoff match Mankato West on Tuesday at New Ulm High School.