LOCKED ON TARGET — Fairmont’s Anthony Stegge focuses on drilling a forehand return during his fourth singles match against St. James in Monday’s Big South Conference dual tennis meet at the Cardinal Courts in Fairmont. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — In a rare moment this spring, the Fairmont Cardinals’ tennis team had a warm afternoon to compete.

“We have had a lot of postponements and played on some cold days this spring,” said Fairmont assistant coach Laura Olsen.

After seven matches were complete, the St. James Area Saints defeated Fairmont 6-1 Monday afternoon in a Big South Conference dual meet in Fairmont.

“We will find some good from this,” Fairmont head coach Eric Johnson said. “The past few matches we have played better.”

The Cardinals’ Jack Hagen beat Preston Wegner, 6-1, 6-2, during first singles action, but the Saints’ Andrei Rivera returned the favor by defeating Fairmont’s Wylee Frederiksen, 6-0, 6-0, at second singles.

“Jack (Hagen) has been able to handle the wind a little better the past few matches,” Johnson said. “Jack did a nice job this afternoon.”

The Saints’ Brennan Kern won in straight sets, beating Simone Castro, 6-0, 6-0, at third singles.

St. James Area’s Christian Pineda beat Fairmont’s Anthony Stegge, 6-0, 6-4, at fourth singles to give the Saints a 3-1 lead after four singles matches.

At first doubles, the Cardinals’ Dominick Lund-May and Noah Vetter played the longest match between the two squads, but lost 6-3, 6-3 to the Saints’ Payton Brown and Vince Brown.

St. James Area’s second doubles team of Adam Rodriguez and Devon Olson defeated Olivia Ortega and Carter Quist, 6-0, 6-4.

The Saints’ Dylan Reid and Zech Ciske needed only two sets to defeat Sebastian Castro and Oliver Thedens 6-0, 6-2 at No. 3 doubles.

“The kids are improving,” Olson said. “We knew we were up against an always good St. James team today. We had a nice day to play and we played some decent tennis, but not good enough to win.”

St. James Area improves to 11-5 overall and Fairmont drops to 1-11 overall. Fairmont plays host to Stewartville at 4:30 p.m. today at the Cardinal Courts.

Blue Earth Area 5, New Ulm 2 — The Bucs swept the singles bracket to pace a 5-2 victory over the Eagles during Big South Conference action Monday at Hal Schroeder Courts in Blue Earth.

BEA’s Nick Frundt beat Ben Brownfield, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 1 singles, while Buc teammate Vern Johnson defeated Thomas Schwartz, 6-3, 6-0, during second singles action.

The Bucs’ Jamie Johnson downed Keenan Davis, 6-1, 6-2, at third singles, while Joe Frundt completed the bracket sweep by netting a 6-4, 6-2 win over Dylen Carreon at the fourth position in the lineup.

New Ulm’s Leo Waloch and Nathaniel Janssen beat Bucs’ Devin Hasse and Brady Lorenz, 6-4, 6-2, at No. 1 doubles, while Eagle teammates Maverick Johnson and Sebastian Smith combined at second doubles to down Seth Stevermer and Jerry Passe, 6-0, 6-2.

BEA’s Calvin Farrow and John Lappe won the longest match of the afternoon, defeating Joey Kotten and Rylan O’Neill, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, (10-4).

Blue Earth Area plays host to Pipestone Area at 4:30 p.m. today back at Schroeder Courts.