Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Micah Flaherty returns a shot for Fort Dodge on Thursday at Dodger Courts. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The Fort Dodge boys tennis squad dropped a 7-4 decision to Des Moines Lincoln in their season opener on Thursday at Dodger Courts.

Junior Micah Flaherty was a 6-0, 6-0 winner in singles for the Dodgers, while also teaming up with Tate Balkenende to prevail in doubles, 6-4 and 7-6 (7-3).

FDSH’s Akramjon Abdurakhimov also earned a sweep, scoring a 6-2, 6-1 singles triumph and capturing a 6-3, 6-3 doubles victory with Aidan Recker.

“I saw a ton of improvement from the kids (versus a year ago),” Dodger head coach Scott Messerly said. “Given it was our first meet, I was proud of how hard they kept working — even with some tough losses.

“Our returning players did great, and our younger kids are learning more and more every day. Micah and AJ were solid in their singles matches, and Tate and Aidan did a nice job with them in doubles.”

Fort Dodge returns to action on Tuesday at Des Moines Roosevelt, with the match beginning at 4 p.m.