Trending
ESCANABA -- The Escanaba Eskymos pulled out a couple close matches in the end, preserving a 6-2 girls' tennis victory over the Gladstone Braves here Tuesday.
"This was our first home meet of the year and our final dual meet with Gladstone for the year," Esky coach Chris Ogren said. "The first time we played this year the score was 5-3, so we knew it was likely to be close again. Many of the matches had very similar results, but we were able to come away with one additional win today."
The Eskymos mathematically sealed the deal at No. 4 doubles in which senior Alexa DeGrand and Ava Jackson rallied past Reese Lovell and Miranda Drielick 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
The match ended on DeGrand's groundstroke which landed in the middle of Gladstone's side of the net, enabling the Eskymos to gain a 5-2 match advantage.
"That felt great,” DeGrand said. "This is a pretty good confidence builder, although I wasn't sure the ball was going to land."
Ogren noted the Braves made an adjustment in No. 4 doubles.
"Last time Alexa and Ava were able to win in straight sets, but Gladstone's team made a player change and Reese and Miranda got out to a quick start. Gladstone was able to take the first set and looked strong in doing so. Alexa and Ava were able to stay calm and continued to play to their strengths. Both played at the net well and hustled to every ball. Alexa was able to finish the final set with a really tough volley that she made look easy to finish the match."
Esky freshman Amelia Alimenti also came from behind to defeat Braves' freshman Aylah Seder 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 in a No. 4 singles match which lasted more than two hours on this sunny, breezy and hot afternoon.
"After losing the first set I was able to put two good sets together," Alimenti said after her match-clinching groundstroke landed in the backcourt. "It was very long and very hot, but I pulled through."
Seder was disappointed in the way she finished the match.
"I definitely got lazy in the end and lost my concentration," she said. "Although, I'm happy with the way our team played. We're getting better. Our team bonding definitely helps. Our team is mostly all seniors. This is a big learning experience for me. It's fun though."
Ogren said that was the only match which had a different outcome from the first meeting.
"Aylah was able to win that match 6-1, 6-3," he said. "Today, however, Amelia looked like a totally different player. The first meeting was the very first high school tennis match for both of these ninth-graders, so a lot can change in just a couple weeks. Amelia was able to take control in the second set and win it 6-4. Amelia played some very high level points and was able to come to the net effectively which was something she wasn't comfortable doing early in the year."
Ogren said the first highlight took place at No. 1 doubles in which Sophie Hill-Claire Jacobson posted a 6-1, 6-1 triumph over Lola Vargo-Ella Howes.
"The last time we played Gladstone the No. 1 doubles match went to three sets, but we've done some shuffling to our doubles teams and today Sophie and Claire were dialed in from the start. They were the first match to finish today and were able to secure a 6-1, 6-1 win. These two seniors are still adjusting to playing together and Claire is having to play the deuce side of the court, rather than the ad side, but they certainly looked to be figuring it out today."
At No. 1 singles, Esky senior Anna Martin showed her quickness in a 6-0, 6-0 conquest of Gladstone senior Carly Maki.
"I'm probably quicker at the net which really helps," Martin said. "I worked on my forehand and got good placement. I took it one play at a time. I prefer to play against the wind. I think it helps with my placement and gives me a better idea where the ball is going. Carly is a very nice opponent. She's so kind and very gracious."
Gladstone senior Maddie Sundquist defeated Esky senior 6-4, 6-1 in No. 2 singles.
"I was flying around and getting to the ball," Sundquist said. "This is my second year. I'm still pretty new at tennis and need to work on my serving. I prefer to play with the wind because I can get more spin on the ball. I just took it one point at a time."
Vogel, who trailed 5-2 in the first set, trimmed her deficit to 5-4 before Sundquist secured the decision.
"I tried to work on my forehand," Vogel said. "I did some warm-ups before the match and my forehand got better. It took a little time for me to adjust, but had some good volleys. It was kind of hard. I still need to work on my forehand and footwork."
Juniors Bella Noblet and Lily Benetti provided the Eskymos with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Elle Mathais and Mackenzie Nelson.
"It was a competitive match," Benetti said. "We were hitting the ball over the net and playing good defense at the net. They made us struggle a little bit. They had some good hits at the net."
The Eskymos, who hosted Menominee on Senior Day Wednesday, host Norway today at 3:30. The Braves host Munising today at 4.
Singles
No. 1 -- Martin, E, def. Maki, 6-0, 6-0; No. 2 -- Sundquist, G, def. Vogel, 6-4, 6-1; No. 3 -- Ketcham, G, def. Veeser, 6-3, 6-3; No. 4 -- Alimenti, E, def. Seder, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Doubles
No. 1 -- Hill-Jacobsen, E, def. Vargo-Howes, 6-1, 6-1; No. 2 - Noblet-Benetti, E, def. Mathias-Nelson, 6-2, 6-4; No. 3 -- Landwehr-Dittrich, E, def. Martinez-Winkler, 6-4, 6-4; No. 4 -- DeGrand-Jackson, def. Lovell-Drielick, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.