May 5, 2017 at 1:45 p.m.
Heideman hits 300 wins
Hodag coach reaches milestone as netters sweep Phillips
Heideman hits 300 wins
The Hodags dropped a total of eight games in two matches as they beat Phillips 7-0, 7-0 at Loggers Camp in Phillips. The wins assured Rhinelander of at least a six-point lead over Antigo entering next Tuesday's rematch of the conference heavyweights and were the 299th and 300th in Heideman's more than three-decade tenure as Hodag head coach.
Heideman reached a similar milestone last September, eclipsing the 200-win mark on the girls' side. A win over Medford last Tuesday put Heideman at 500 wins overall and, with Thursday's victories, he becomes only the ninth coach in state history to reach the 300-win plateau on the boys' side, according to records kept by the Wisconsin High School Tennis Coaches Association.
"It has been an expectedly long enjoyable adventure which has allowed me to rub elbows with an extraordinary menagerie of athletes, coaches and reporters," Heideman said. "I'm deeply appreciative of the efforts from so many of them who made this milestone possible, including my family."
Rhinelander now sits 11-5 overall, and 7-0 in the GNC. The Hodags currently sit 34 points ahead of the Red Robins, who vaulted to second in the conference standings with a 7-0, 6-1 doubleheader sweep of Lakeland Thursday.
"It was a day when we did not want to lose our concentration and we wanted to keep our momentum going as we enter the last week of conference season next week," Heideman said. "We did that."
Antigo, which has played only five conference matches, could gain up to 28 points Monday when it takes on Medford and Phillips in a double-dual at Medford.
Thursday's matches themselves were short and sweet. Rhinelander dropped only five games in the first dual and three in the second. Logan Wild, Markus Johnson, Matt O'Melia and Russell Benoy swept the singles competition for the Hodags.
Grant Gilbert and Jared Fabich won a pair of 6-0, 6-1 decisions over JJ Anderson and Jorge Sanchez at No. 1 doubles. The Loggers did not field teams at Nos. 2 or 3 doubles.
"As for the tennis, it wasn't great but there signs of improvement," Heideman said. "Logan Wild closed on his volleys better. Matt O'Melia looked more comfortable at the net. Russell kept the ball out of the middle of the court as the match wore on. Grant's service return was more consistent. Jared continues to serve well."
The Hodags were scheduled to play two matches in Wausau Friday to kick off the Wausau West Invite. The two-day meet concludes today.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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