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WESTWOOD -- The Gladstone Braves tennis team took a trip to Westwood for two contests against the Westwood Patriots and Ishpeming Hematites Monday afternoon.
Gladstone took close losses in both matches, losing 4-3 against Ishpeming and 5-3 against Westwood.
The battle wasn't just against the Patriots and Hematites, though, as mother nature played a part in the matches as well.
"It was not the ideal weather for tennis today," said Braves coach Ryan Barron. "It seemed like every 20 minutes it would be snowing or sleeting."
Despite the weather, Barron was pleased with the team's willingness to keep playing.
"The boys endured it, though, and played some quality tennis," he said. "I'm pleased with the improvements from day to day with my boys."
At No. 1 singles and doubles, Gladstone won all of their matches. Rane Castor defeated Ishpeming's Jack Waananen (6-1, 6-1) and Westwood's Bryce Markham (7-5, 6-0) at No.1 singles.
The duo of Carter Hedman and Sean Sailer beat Westwood's Gerratt Mann and Ryan LaFountain (6-2, 4-6, 6-3) and Hayden Hares and Hunter Smith of Ishpeming (6-1, 6-1).
"Both my No. 1 doubles and No. 1 singles had solid days today," said Barron. "They have the potential to make some noise toward the end of the season."
Castor, while happy with the result, strives to improve as the season continues.
"My backhands were really nice today," Castor said. "My second serve needs improvement. I double-faulted too many times."
Sailer and Hedman were also pleased with their outings.
"Two solid matches today for Carter and I," said Sailer. "We played Westwood very well and worked together. The weather impeded our performance in the second set, but we gathered ourselves and won the match in the third set.
"We definitely played below our capability against Ishpeming but still came out with the win in the end."
Hedman shared similar feelings to his doubles partner.
"Couple of great wins today for Sean and I," Hedman said. "Very proud of how we played. Now, on to the next ones."
Peter Noblet picked up another pair of wins -- defeating Hematites Landon Kiuniemi (6-0, 6-0) and Patriots Andrew Niemi (6-3, 3-6, 6-0) -- for the Braves at No. 2 singles.
"I played well today," said Noblet. "I was confident and aggressive, overall pretty happy, I guess."
Sam Jensen took losses in both ends of the contest for Gladstone No. 3 singles, while Chad Britton and Dragan Graham did the same at No. 2 doubles.
Issac Berthaume and Zachary Brazeau split their matches -- beating Beau Mager and Adam Maki of Ishpeming (6-1, 6-0) while falling to the Patriots' Zach Senske and Gabe Tassova (6-3, 3-6, 6-3) -- at No. 3 doubles.
"We had a tough first couple sets against Westwood where we ended up losing the third set," said Brazeau. "We bounced back in our match against Ishpeming and won both sets with ease."
Gladstone visits Negaunee today.
Gladstone vs. Ishpeming
Singles
No 1. -- Castor, G, def. Waananen, I, 6-1, 6-1; No. 2 -- Noblet, G, def. Kiunimi, I, 6-0, 6-0; No. 3 -- Giroux, I, def. Jensen, G, 5-5, 6-3.
Doubles
No. 1 -- Hedman-Sailer, G, def. Hares-Smith, I, 6-1, 6-1; No. 2 -- Hurkimans-Rubick, I, def. Graham-Britton, G, 6-1, 6-2; No. 3 -- Bethaume-Brazeau, G, def. Mager-Maki, I, 6-1, 6-0; No. 4 -- Default, I, Forfeit, G.
Gladstone vs. Westwood
Singles
No. 1 -- Castor, G, def. Markham, W, 7-5, 6-0; No. 2 -- Noblet, G, def. Niemi, W, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0; No. 3 -- Prophet, W, def. Jensen, G, 7-5, 6-1; No. 4 -- Default, W, Forfeit, G.
Doubles
No. 1 -- Hedman-Sailer, G, def. Mann-LaFountain, W, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3; No. 2 -- Misale-Papp, W, def. Britton-Graham, G, 6-4, 6-2; No. 3 -- Senske-Tossova, W, def. Berthaume-Brazeau, G, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3; No. 4 -- Default, W, Forfeit, G.