BISMARCK -- Dickinson sophomore Luke Van Ells may have taken the long way around. But in the end, he's still going to the state tennis tournament.
Van Ells bounced back from a disappointing first round of the individual portion of the West Region tourney on Friday to win two matches on Saturday and earn a trip to the state tourney.
Van Ells joined teammate Taylor Bruhschwein, who qualified for the state tournament on Friday.
"I can't say enough about how hard (Van Ells) fought back through the consolation bracket," Dickinson co-coach Carter Fong said.
"He really had to take the long road to get there."
ADVERTISEMENT
Van Ells fought to get into the seventh-place match where he topped Minot's Anthony Polsfut in straight sets.
Bruhschwein lost both of his Saturday matches, albeit to quality opponents.
Defending state champion Josh Oothoudt of Minot got by Bruhschwein 6-4, 6-2 and longtime Century standout Thomas Welk bested the senior 6-4, 6-2 for third place.
"There's certainly no shame in losing to those two," Fong said. "They're outstanding tennis players."
Grant Bakke of Bismarck High defeated Oothoudt to win the West Region title.
Welk and teammate John Roller joined Bruhschwein as the West Region's Mr. Tennis candidates.
Century coach Scott McPherson was name coach of the year by his peers.
