Brayden Kassin and Alysia Wood win mixed doubles title at 79th Annual Michigan-Wisconsin Open

ESCANABA -- Iron Mountain High School senior Brayden Kassin ordinarily doesn't play tennis.

He played in the 79th Annual Michigan-Wisconsin Open tournament, however, and was rewarded for his efforts here Sunday.

Kassin teamed with classmate Alysia Wood in the mixed doubles class and they prevailed over Escanaba senior Anna Martin and Logan Stephens 6-4, 6-2 in the championship match.

"It's a good opportunity," he said. "Alysia asked me to play and I decided 'why not'. We were pretty confident coming in."

Wood was also crowned girls' age 16-18 singles champion Saturday after taking a 6-1, 6-3 decision from Negaunee's Adelyn Chapman.

"There was some tough competition, but it was really a fun day," Wood said. "Mentality is a big part of it. Winning Saturday's championship match I think gave me confidence for today. This was my first time playing doubles. It's definitely different, but I think the first set prepared me. When we went down 2-1 in the second set, we talked to each other and decided we were going to win it. I think this prepared me for the regular (high school) season."

In Saturday's Class A men's singles final, Kace Lovejoy of Traverse City rallied past Marquette High School freshman Yale Olivier 7-5, 7-6.

Lovejoy, who played at Alma College, trailed 5-2 in the second set before mounting his comeback.

"Actually, a 5-2 deficit isn't as daunting as it looks," Lovejoy said. "All it takes is one break to get back in the match. Yale and I play a lot of tennis in Traverse City and we have a lot of momentum shifts. Much depends on who gets hot at the right time. I have a lot of friends who play in this tournament. We try to get here every year."

Olivier, who was playing with a sore left foot, led 5-4 in the first set.

"Last year I lost in the second round," he said. "It felt good to get to the championship match. I couldn't push off on my left foot. Although, he played a great match. After he started to come back my adrenalin was gone. This tournament is a lot of fun. I'll be back next year. This gives me more tournament experience."

Recent Kingsford graduate Landan Adam rallied past defending champ and Esky girls' coach Chris Ogren 4-6, 6-1, 10-3 in the Class B men's final.

"This first set was back and forth, then younger legs prevailed," Ogren said. "He played well."

In the second set, Ogren got his point on Adams' shot which was too long.

"I recognized the way he was playing," Adam said. "He was playing to my back hand and I was able to run more than the other guys. He played a real good first set. Sometimes you just have to wear down your opponent."

Ogren and Chris Bonczak took the weekend's final match, defeating Dan Hawkins/Tom Penegor, Escanaba, 6-2, 7-6.

"We had three really good matches," Penegor said after the title match which required a tie-breaker. "We had three set points we couldn't convert on. The conditions were nice today. The clouds blocked the sun which made it more comfortable. It was hot on Saturday."

In the boys' 16-18 doubles final, Andy Yu and Clark Robb of Kingsford defeated Jacob Basen and Tayler Erbs of Mukawago, Wis. 6-2, 6-2.

"We were definitely happy to win the last match," Robb said. "Returning shots on their serves was key. When you can do that, it gives you an opportunity to set things up and we didn't let them get any momentum. It really comes down to the little things and once in a while we were able to go to our overhead shots."

Yu had similar thoughts.

"We've been playing together for four years," he said. "We kind of pick each other up. This means a lot more because we lost to Marquette in No. 1 doubles at the U.P. Finals."

The tournament drew approximately 85 players which was pleasing to Penegor, who continued to share the directing duties with Dennis Lueneburg.

"This was another successful year," Penegor said. "The weather cooperated for both days even though we received more than an inch of rain Saturday morning. We were able to start our matches at 9:30 with the help of many people from a great tennis community. Last year we had our largest Men's A turnout with 14, including nine who played in college, and had an increase in the 16-18 boys' and girls' divisions. We received a large draw from Kingsford/Iron Mountain and Marquette/Negaunee which made for some exciting matches.

"With the girls' season starting in a couple weeks, this tournament is a great opportunity to see where they are in their games and gain some valuable experience."

Lueneburg expressed his appreciation for the help they've received from the City of Escanaba.

"It takes a lot of moving parts," he said. "The city collects the entries and passes them on to Tom and me."

Penegor was also thankful for the assistance received from the community.

"I appreciate Denny's help and we appreciate the help we received from the City of Escanaba, Jeff Derkos, Annalise and the Prica and Ogren families for all they do to make this event successful," he said. "We used to have four of these events in the U.P. and now we're down to one. We want to do everything we can to keep this going."

Singles

Class A men -- Kace Lovejoy, Traverse City, def. Yale Olivier, Marquette, 7-5, 7-6; Class B men -- Landan Adam, Iron Mountain, def. Chris Ogren, Escanaba, 4-6, 6-1, 10-3; Men's 40-55 combined -- Dan Skewis, Negaunee, def. Kirk Bruno, Rapid River, default; Boys' 16-18 -- Tyler Erbs, Mukwanago, Wis. def. Bodi Helman, Marquette, 6-1, 6-2; Girls 16-18 -- Alysia Wood, Iron Mountain, def. Adelyn Chapman, Negaunee, 6-1, 6-3; Boys' 12-15 -- Max Larson, Negaunee, def. Axl Sarasin, Negaunee, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles

Class A men -- Kyte Haskins/Isaiah Fay def. Luke Ogren-Steve Prica, Escanaba, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; Class B men -- Chris Bonczak/Chris Ogren, Escanaba, def Dan Hawkins/Tom Penegor, Escanaba, 6-2, 7-6; Mixed -- Alysia Wood/Brayden Kassin, Iron Mountain, def. Anna Martin/Logan Stephens, Escanaba, 6-4, 6-2; Boys' 16-18 -- Andy Yu-Clark Robb, Kingsford, def. Jacob Bastien/Tyler Erbs, Mukwanago, Wis., 6-2, 6-2; Boys' 12-15 -- Jax Godfrey/Wyatt Gallagher def. Husing/Husing, default.