Lori Peters Fairmont singles player Sydney Ruen connects on a backhand near the net during season-opening tennis action Tuesday in Blue Earth.

BLUE EARTH — The heat took its toll on a few tennis players Tuesday in Blue Earth, while the Lake City Tigers nearly pitched a shutout. The Tigers toppled the host Blue Earth Area Bucs by a 6-1 count after handing the Fairmont Cardinals a 7-0 loss during the Blue Earth Area Invitational at Schroeder Courts in Blue Earth. The Bucs commenced the triangular with a 4-3 rally over Fairmont by winning a super tiebreaker at third doubles. “The heat was a factor - we had to make sure everyone was hydrated,” said Fairmont head coach Jeff Nauman, who lost third singles player Melissa DeBoer to heat exhaustion during her second match. “It was hot. I’m impressed with what we did. We gave it everything we had, I think. We want to get better. That’s what we’re going to do, try and get better,” said Buc head coach Terry Barnes, who saw his second doubles player - Olivia Skaare - retire due to similar circumstances in her second contest.