Lourdes' Evan Ritter Claims State Tennis Title

June 5—MINNEAPOLIS — Rochester Lourdes has once again produced the top singles player in Class 1A boys tennis, with senior Evan Ritter clinching the championship title this year. This victory follows Marjan Veldic's win in 2023, highlighting the school's strong tennis program.

Ritter faced a challenging match on Friday at the Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center, requiring three sets and a tie-breaker to secure his win against Wyatt Helberg from North Branch. The final scores were 6-7 (7-5 tie-breaker), 6-4, 7-6 (7-1 tie-breaker), showcasing Ritter's ability to perform under pressure when it counted the most.

Reflecting on his journey, Ritter noted, "To be a state champion, this is the perfect ending for me." He had previously placed third as a sophomore and second last year, driving his determination to reach the top this time around. Initially caught off guard by Helberg's powerful groundstrokes, Ritter adjusted his game, reducing unforced errors and playing aggressively, particularly with his serve and forehand.

Lourdes coach Steve Tacl praised Ritter’s performance, especially during crucial moments, saying, "Evan played really tough, especially in those moments that are the biggest difference makers." Tacl emphasized the importance of playing to Ritter's strengths and maintaining a proactive style throughout the match.

Ritter expressed gratitude for the support he received, attributing his success to the encouragement from those around him. "I couldn't have done it without the people around me today who helped keep me motivated," he said. Meanwhile, in Class 1A doubles, Lourdes' duo of Joe Palen and Andy Fink reached the semifinals but were defeated by the top-seeded team from St. Paul Academy.