MANDAN - Mandan doubles team of Eli Kleinknecht and Brandon Johnson watched the ball sail behind the baseline. They paused and then looked at their teammates watching a few feet away. And then the moment sunk in. That was match point in the third set tie-break against in G.F. Red River opponents. And with that, the pair jumped for joy, realizing the journey to the state championship had ended.

The Braves wrapped up a perfect season (23-0) with their 3-2 victory over perennial power Grand Forks Red River on Oct. 8 at Choice Health and Fitness Center in Grand Forks. There was a lot of weight on the shoulders of the program, which entered the season with lofty expectations. They delivered on the big stage.

Mandan top seed and senior Jared Christen provided the Braves the first victory of the nightwinning 6-0, 6-0. G.F. Red River evened the match with a straigh-set win by Gabe Schauer and Max McDonald at No. 1 doubles. Matthew Christen moved the Braves in front again with a victory at No. 2 singles. After winning the first set handily, the sophomore erased a 4-1 deficit in set two and eventually prevailed 7-5.

The way the match lineup was set it was likely going to come down to a couple of matches; No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles. And that is exactly what played out. Jack Johnson's straight-set win at No. 3 singles evened the match for Red River. At No. 2 doubles, Kleinknecht and Johnson were the stronger team out of the gate, taking the first set, 6-3. The momentum, however, was wrestled away by theRoughriders in set two and the young pair of Ethan Mason and Cullen McDonald put shots away to take set two, 6-2. It appeared that momentum would carry Red River to another state title. The Riders pair led 5-3, before Kleinknecht and Johnson would show the poise of seniors. Johnson's service game was sharp and the pair took advantage for some points of that heavy serve. They were able to grab a 6-5 lead in the third set. Red River wouldn't go quietly, however, and forced a seven-point tiebreak.

With the championship on the line, Mandan jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the tie-break and never trailed, winning 7-4. The title helped to avenge the Braves' close call two years ago. Mandan lost 3-2 to WF Sheyenne. Another match that needed a third set to settle. For the Western Dakota Association, a championship last occurred in 1993 by Bismarck St. Mary's. The Braves are bringing the trophy back to western side of the state.