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ESCANABA -- The Escanaba Eskymos got their first taste of competition in two years this week, scrimmaging Menominee at the Marinette Recreation Center Tuesday and blanking Iron Mountain 8-0 Thursday.
"It was a beautiful facility," coach Tom Penegor said of Tuesday's scrimmage. "Both teams had 13 players, and we played 24 sets. We tried to make it competitive for everybody and played for five hours. It was a positive experience for Menominee and Escanaba. It was more about the kids getting out there and playing somebody from a different school, and they learned what they need to work on. This was the first taste of competition for many of the kids. We did well in the scrimmage and against Iron Mountain."
Seven of Esky's 28 players are under quarantine due to Covid-19, which wiped out the entire season a year ago.
"Nobody played last year," said coach Tom Penegor. "Although we have guys in quarantine, we're lucky because we still have 21 to work with. This gives us a chance to play some new guys early in the season. We can work through the early part of our schedule and grow. We're going to have a mixed lineup. It's going to be a case of mix and match."
Esky's roster is comprised of four seniors, 12 juniors, eight sophomores and four freshmen.
"We have good numbers and a nice group of young guys," said Penegor. "My biggest hope is they enjoy the sport and will keep it going for 30-40 years. I think it's a great sport."
Senior Shaun Beauchamp and juniors Gunner Dlugas and Nathan Howes played singles with 6-foot-7 Viktor Popsisil, an exchange student from the Czech Republic, and senior Ryan Moreau at No. 1 doubles.
"Vicktor is an experienced player, but he hasn't played for more than a year," said Penegor. "He didn't bring a racket and let him borrow one of mine. I can see where he played before because he has the technique."
Tuesday's other participants include seniors Jordan Nance, Tanner McDonald Brayden Roberts, juniors Troy Delvaux, Braley Pierce, Isaac Maki and Trevor Mathieson, and sophomore Cayden Lyyski.
Also on Esky's roster are juniors Connor Smale, Joe Hubert, Jacob Magreta, Trevor Mathieson and Ethan Siedlecki.
Additional underclassmen include sophomores Noah Carlson, Parker LaFond, Jake Lippens, Samuel Rivera, Evan St. Peter, Dawson Williams and Wilson Zhao, and freshmen Ian Burroughs, Sawyer Dix, Gabe Magreta and Abraham Wessel.
"We have a lot of depth," said Penegor. "The biggest thing is you always try to get a little more consistency."
Esky continues its home stand against Gladstone today at 4 p.m. and West Iron County Tuesday at 4.
The Eskymos will then play their next four meets at home before visiting Gladstone May 12. All of their home matches will be played at the high school and Royce and Veterans Park.
Also on their schedule are invitational tournaments at Kingsford (May 15) and Negaunee (May 22), Great Northern Conference meet at Marquette (May 27) and Upper Peninsula Division 1 Finals at Negaunee (June 3).
"West Iron County and Negaunee are strong, and Marquette has a lot of numbers," said Penegor. "Westwood has also been strong for the past few years, and Gladstone has some good players."
The remaining schedule:
April 26 -- Gladstone; April 27 -- West Iron County; April 29 -- Negaunee and Menominee; April 30 -- Westwood.
May 11 -- Kingsford; May 12 -- at Gladstone; May 13 -- at Westwood and Negaunee; May 15 -- Kingsford Invitational; May 17 -- at Marquette; May 18 -- at Kingsford; May 20 -- at Menominee; May 21 -- at Iron Mountain; May 22 -- Negaunee Invitational; May 25 -- Marquette; May 27 -- GNC meet at Marquette.
June 3 -- U.P. D-1 Finals at Negaunee.