The Roughriders used a 3-2 advantage in doubles play to break free from the Marshalltown boys’ tennis team for a 6-5 triumph on a windy Tuesday at the Marshalltown Court Complex.

The Bobcats (7-5) found solace, however, in the fact that they would have been awarded a victory had the two teams met in postseason play. Des Moines Roosevelt claimed the Nos. 4 and 5 doubles matches to capture the dual meet victory, but Marshalltown would have advanced in substate play with a 5-4 triumph.

For now, however, MHS head coach James Christensen believes the loss will serve his Bobcats well going forward.

“Roosevelt was just a little deeper and more refined strategically,” Christensen said. “That’s on coaching, not the players.”

Four matches made it to third-set super-tiebreakers, and the two teams split in those winner-take-all scenarios. Roosevelt (6-2) battled back to tie Marshalltown in singles, 3-3, after claiming two of the three third-set showdowns.

The Bobcats’ top doubles team of Isaac Benscoter and Jacob Thiessen scored Marshalltown’s three-set doubles victory, beating Will Bright and Jack Kehoe in come-from-behind fashion, 4-6, 6-3, (10-5).

Benscoter also locked down the Bobcats’ three-set singles triumph, taking a 6-4, 5-7, (10-8) battle with Bright.

“Isaac Benscoter was absolutely nails today,” said Christensen. “He rose to the occasion on every clutch point. It was fantastic to see him and JT (Thiessen) finish off the 1-doubles match. JT had a double loss at No. 2 singles and showed some great mental fortitude to regroup and play well in doubles.”

Thiessen suffered one of Marshalltown’s two three-set singles defeats, falling 6-1, 3-6, (14-12) to Teegan Van Ngoy. Marshalltown’s Jacob Christen fell in a three-set thriller at No. 5 singles to Brooks Arnold, 7-5, 4-6, (11-9).

Carson Snyder and Adam Boone earned straight-set victories at Nos. 4 and 6 singles, respectively, to help the Bobcats halve the first round of competition. Snyder’s oppponent retired during the second set, trailing 6-3, 4-4.

“Adam Boone continues to improve and just finds ways to win,” said Christensen. “Jacob Christen combined with him for a dominant doubles performance after just missing out in singles. It takes a lot of mental toughness to get back up off the mat.

“Carson gritted out a victory against a player who ended up retiring. Carson likely had the match in hand and continues to be a leadership force for our team. He and Dale (Greene) battled hard at No. 2 doubles but Roosevelt just seemed to always have the answer at the net.”

Des Moines Roosevelt got the drop on Marshalltown in doubles play, claiming three of five bouts for the dual win. Van Ngoy and Arnold defeated Greene and Snyder at No. 2 doubles to seal the meet for the Roughriders in the final contest.

Christen and Boone prevailed 6-0, 6-4 at No. 3 doubles over Malcolm Draper and Zane Kenney, while Benscoter and Thiessen accounted for Marshalltown’s final win of the night. The Roughriders won at Nos. 2, 4 and 5 doubles.

The Bobcats are back at home on Thursday with a 4 p.m. dual meet against Des Moines North.

Des Moines Roosevelt 6, Marshalltown 5

SINGLES

Isaac Benscoter (MHS) def. Will Bright, 6-4, 5-7, (10-8)

Teegan Van Ngoy (DMR) def. Jacob Thiessen, 6-1, 3-6, (14-12)

Jack Kehoe (DMR) def. Dale Greene, 7-5, 6-0

Carson Snyder (MHS) def. Elliott Cataldi, 6-3, 4-4 (retired)

Brooks Arnold (DMR) def. Jacob Christen, 7-5, 4-6, (11-9)

Adam Boone (MHS) def. Zane Kenney, 6-2, 6-4

DOUBLES

Benscoter and Thiessen (MHS) def. Bright and Kehoe, 4-6, 6-3, (10-5)

Van Ngoy and Arnold (DMR) def. Greene and Snyder, 6-4, 7-5

Christen and Boone (MHS) def. Malcolm Draper and Kenney, 6-0, 6-4

Kanoa Lin and Isaac Walter (DMR) def. Isaac Seberger and Tayven Dutton, 6-1, 6-2

Jake Levich and Henry Godar (DMR) def. Kyle Smith and Will Swartz, 6-1, 6-4