August 31, 2018 at 1:18 p.m.
Hodag tennis downs Newman 6-1
Hodag tennis downs Newman 6-1
The Hodags scored decisive straight-set wins in every flight except No. 1 singles as they defeated Wausau Newman 6-1 in a conference dual at Oak Island Park.
Newman, a Division 2 sectional runner-up last year, proved to be no match for the Hodags. Rhinelander downed the Cardinals 5-2 in a non-conference dual Aug. 13 and played even stronger on Thursday in a match that was postponed from Tuesday due to rain.
"We were talking about not letting them off the hook," Hodag coach Bob Heideman said. "Last time at No. 1 doubles, it was 6-2, 7-5, we let them back in and at No. 2 doubles it was a three-set match and we lost (the tiebreaker) 0-10. As you can see, we shut the door and kept it shut. We're pretty happy with those results right now."
There was no semblance of a comeback this time around for Newman's top doubles teams. Rhinelander's Annika Johnson and Haley Seefeldt quickly dispatched Grace Sukanen and Sarah Sukanen 6-1, 6-1 in the top flight while the Hodags' second doubles unit of Alexis Pyrchalla and Madi Losch beat Ali Bennett and Julia Welter, 6-1, 6-2.
"Madi Losch, it was head and shoulders her best day as a Hodag - not only just not making mistakes and putting the ball away, but covering the court all over the place," Heideman noted. "One doubles putting two sets together was a good step. I like the direction we're heading."
Jackie Wells and Savannah Chartier completed the doubles sweep for the Hodags with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Anna Hackett and Desirae Lo in the third flight.
"Savannah went lengthy periods without making an error," Heideman said. "That is extremely hard to do in tennis."
Singles went about as quickly for the Hodags. Emma Roberts beat Becky Larrain 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2, Kenedy Van Zile was a 6-1, 6-1 winner over Megan Peck at No. 3 and Kaylee Pontell swept Ruby Haupt 6-0, 6-0 in the fourth flight.
Rhinelander's only loss came at No. 1 where Alex Oestreich was beaten in straight sets by Newman's Mia Larrain, who placed fifth in the Division 2 state singles tournament last fall.
"I would be very surprised if she doesn't take conference," Heideman said of Larrain. "She's just tough. We'll concede that one. I like Alex's effort. She's playing well, but some of the players she's playing are just really good tennis players."
The win vaulted Rhinelander to 3-0 on the season and just two points behind defending conference champ Antigo for the Great Northern Conference lead as the two teams get set for a showdown this coming Thursday in Antigo. Newman figured to play spoiler this year as a newcomer to the conference, so getting a 6-1 result over the Cardinals was vital for the Hodags.
"I think the conference between us, Antigo and them and if we don't do well against them, with the way the conference is scored, it can come back to haunt us," Heideman said.
Rhinelander traveled to Green Bay Southwest yesterday to begin a two-day invitational.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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