Gladstone sophomore Teagan Reynolds looks to return a groundstroke against Westwood on April 26, 2024 at Pfotenhauer Park in Gladstone. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — It was a day of improvement for Gladstone boys tennis as they split 2-2 in singles matches but got swept 4-0 in doubles matches.

Gladstone sophomore Teagan Reynolds won his first career match defeating Westwood’s Mitchell Ford 6-0 and 6-2.

“It felt great to get the win,” Reynolds said. “I just cut down my strokes and just tried to keep them moving the best that i could.”

Gladstone sophomore Tyler Soderman picked up the Braves other win defeating Damian Grandz 6-3 and 6-2.

“I think we are starting to get better as a team,” Soderman said. “Everyone is coming along and we are a young team that is looking to improve everytime out.”

The Braves had their share of struggles in doubles play. But Blake Lesnieski and Nick Thill lost their match 6-3 and 6-4. Max Wilson and Matthew Hagebusch lost their match 6-2 and 6-0. “We are a very young team,” Wilson said. “Our goal is to constantly work and improve throughout the season so we can do well in the GNC’s and UP Finals.”

Gladstone struggled a lot last season and to be able to find some early season success is definitely something the team can build on as this season goes on.

Gladstone tennis will be back in action Tuesday against Escanaba.

Singles

No. 1 — Hietikko, W def. Johnson, 6-4, 6-4; No. 2 — Reynolds, G def. Ford 6-0, 6-2; No. 3 — Alderton, W def. Tackman, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3; No. 4 — Soderman, G def. D. Grandz, 6-3, 6-2.

Doubles

No. 1 — Frustaglio–Mahaffey, W def. Barron-Veeser, 6-3, 6-2; No. 2 — Patron- X. Grandz, W def. Hagebusch-Wilson, 6-0, 6-2; No. 3 — Balzarini-Timmons, W def. Hedman-Nelson, 6-1, 6-2; No. 4 — Hebert-Leclair, W def. Lesneiski-Thill, 6-3, 6-4.