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GLADSTONE -- Escanaba and Gladstone girls tennis teams took the court for the first time on Monday with Escanaba defeating Gladstone 5-3.
"After a long week of practice we played our first match of the season," Eskymos coach Chris Ogren said. "We have several players returning as well as a few newcomers with seven seniors, three juniors and two freshmen."
Anna Martin was able to cruise to victory at No. 1 singles as she defeated Gladstone's Carly Maki 6-0, 6-0.
"Anna has put in a lot of time over the summer and it showed up today," Ogren said. Martin was the only one to earn a singles win for Escanaba as Gladstone won the rest of the singles field.
The match of the day came at No. 1 doubles as Escanaba's Sophie Hill and Isabella Noblet defeated Gladstone's Lola Vargo and Ella Howes 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in three sets
Escanaba's Claire Jacobsen and Lily Benetti defeated Elle Mathias and Mackenzie Nelson at No. 2 doubles 6-0, 6-0 and at No. 4 Doubles Alexa DeGrand and Ava Jackson defeated Reese Lovell and Charlotte Carter-Jaeger 7-5, 6-4.
Both girls ran hard for every ball," Ogren said. "They played very well in front of the net and it was just enough for us to come away with the win."
Gladstone found success in singles action as Lily Ketcham defeated Olivia Vogel 7-5, 6-2 at No. 2 doubles.
Lily's first serves were incredible," Braves coach Ryan Baron said. "She never gave up and was one step ahead the entire match."
Gladstone also picked up a big win at No. 3 doubles as Madison Sundquist defeated Varrah Veeser of Escanaba 6-3, 6-0 in two sets.
"Madison had a stellar performance and was very consistent today," Barron said. "She moved very fluidly on the court and I am excited to see what the future holds for our program."
Escanaba will be back in action Thursday as they travel to Menominee while Gladstone hosts Marquette Thursday.
Singles
No. 1 Martin, E def. Maki, 6-0, 6-0; No. 2 Ketcham, G def. Vogel, 7-5, 6-2; No. 3 Sundquist, G def. Veeser, 6-3, 6-0; No. 4 Seder, G def. Alimenti, 6-1, 6-3;
Doubles
No. 1 Hill-Noblet, E def. Vargo-Howes, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2; No. 2 Jacobsen-Benetti, E def. Mathias-Nelson, 6-0, 6-0; No. 3 Landwehr-Dittrich, E def. Martinez-Winkler, 6-3, 7-5; No. 4 DeGrand-Jackson, E def. Carter-Jaeger-Lovell, 7-5, 6-4;