Braves Tennis Sweeps Doubles To Top Eskymos, 5-3

GLADSTONE---The Gladstone Braves won all four doubles matches and beat the Escanaba Eskymos, 5-3, in girls tennis action at Pfotenhauer Park on Monday. The match wasn't decided until Hannah Sharon and Shelby Martinucci won their #3 doubles match, 6-2, 6-0.

"We have a lot of new, young players, and a few have actually made it to varsity," said a pleased Gladstone Coach Halley Reichel. "It's their first year. Our JV and bench are pretty strong this year, too. There's probably six of the 13 who would be able to play at the varsity level."

Kara Salo and Paige Loehr defeated Escanaba's Darby Beckon and Heather Bergstrom, 6-4, 6-4, at #3 doubles to give the Braves a 4-3 lead in the team score.

Then, Sharon and Martinucci finished off Escanaba youngsters Maddy Ide and Jessica Koish to seal the match for Gladstone.

"We've got a lot of new kids, a lot of new kids, who are just learning their skills," Escanaba Coach Dennis Lueneburg said. "I have a lot of girls playing varsity who are really just learning the game right now. That's kind of why, part of me, is excited. If they do their part, in the way of practicing more, getting out more, it makes it more enjoyable."

"I like the challenge."

Escanaba turned in dominating performances at #1 and #2 singles, with Hannah Beversluis beating Mollie Wiltzius, 6-1, 6-1; and Taylor Gauthier shutting out Kirsten Williams, 6-0, 6-0.

Gladstone's lone win in singles came from Andie Balenger at #2 over Jasmine Clark, 6-2, 6-2. Those two girls were teammates this summer on the Delta County Junior Girls Little League softball team that won the state championship and made the Central Regional final.

Escanaba is home on Tuesday against Kingsford. Gladstone visits Menominee Tuesday.

The results:

SINGLES
1. Hannah Beversluis (Esc) def. Mollie Wiltzius (Glad), 6-1, 6-1.
2. Taylor Gauthier (Esc) def. Kirsten Williams (Glad), 6-0, 6-0.
3. Andie Balenger (Glad) def. Jasmine Clark (Esc), 6-2, 6-2.
4. Megan Marenger (Esc) def. Alyssa Johnson (Glad), 6-4, 6-4.

DOUBLES
1. Kara Salo/Paige Loehr (Glad) def. Darby Beckon/Heather Bergstrom (Esc), 6-4, 6-4.
2. Sophia Lippens/Sydney Herioux (Glad) def. Renee Perault/Abby Knudsen (Esc), 6-1, 6-4.
3. Hannah Sharon/Shelby Martinucci (Glad) def. Maddy Ide/Jessica Koch (Esc), 6-2, 6-0.
4. Taylor Berthaume/Macy Trudeau (Glad) def. Hannah Nygaard/Hannah Pethers (Esc), 6-2, 6-0.