May 2, 2018 at 1:42 p.m.
Back-to-back sweeps put Hodags tennis on top of GNC
Back-to-back sweeps put Hodags tennis on top of GNC
The Hodags got there thanks to a pair of dual meet sweeps Monday and Tuesday, defeating Medford and Antigo in successive nights on the road.
Rhinelander 7, Medford 0
On Monday, the Hodags used a trio of three-set victories in singles to defeat Medford 7-0. Markus Johnson and Russell Benoy both rallied from down a set in the top two flights to earn victories while Freddy Wisner held off a second-set comeback to take his match at No. 4 singles.
"We were very fortunate to win all the close ones and that turned things," coach Bob Heideman said. "Part of the mix was a very windy day with no wind screens which made for some inconsistent tennis. A lot of adjustments had to be made depending on which side of the net you were on."
After dropping the first set 4-6, Johnson used a strong service game and some timely shots to get by Medford's Alec Shear in the final two sets 6-1, 6-3.
"In one game I counted six aces," Heideman said "(That), combined with an improving backhand, proved the difference. If Alec could return serve, he had aggressive ground strokes which put Markus on defense which produced an interesting match."
Benoy improved as his match against Charlie Branstetter worn on. After dropping the first set 2-6, Benoy took the second 7-5 and closed out the match by winning the third set 6-love.
"Russell had trouble finding the court but once he started to get some balls in, he got more and more confident as the match progressed," said Heideman who noted Benoy has had a penchant for playing three-setters earlier in the seasons.
Wisner and Medford's Carson Kleist split the first two sets at No. 4 singles 6-4, 4-6, but Wisner took control in the third and cruised to a 6-1 win.
"With the wind moving the ball around, Freddy struggled with getting it his hitting zone," Heideman said. "Once he figured that out, he discovered he was the better player on the court."
The Hodags swept doubles with Connor Young and Jared Haug defeating Alec Veal and Trentin Messman 6-3, 7-5 in the first flight; Grant Gilbert and Jared Fabich were 6-3, 6-2 winners per Armin Kliewe and Sterling Reilly in the second flight; Logan Oestreich and Cade Aschenbrenner downed Logan Searles and Zach Kawa, 6-3, 6-1.
Freshman Jacob Weddle routed Luis Silva, 6-0, 6-0 in the third singles flight.
Rhinelander 7, Antigo 0
The Hodags did not have as much difficulty with Antigo Tuesday, taking all seven matches in straight sets.
There were a few 6-3 wins for the Hodags in the opening set, but Rhinelander dominated the second set, dropping only five games as a team.
"We had a number of matches where the Antigo first-set scores were higher than their second-set scores, which probably had something to do with getting used to a gusting wind," Heideman said.
Johnson, Benoy, Weddle and Wisner completed the singles sweep for the Hodags. Heideman said Weddle, a freshman, looked particularly solid in his 6-1, 6-1 win over Simon McPhail in the third flight.
"Jacob has put together three solid matches. It's good to see his freshman nerves are in remission," he said.
Young and Haug, Gilbert and Fabich, and Oestreich and Aschenbrenner swept the doubles competition, all in similar fashion. Young and Haug won their match at No. 1 doubles 6-3, 6-1, Gilbert and Fabich were 6-3, 6-0 winners at No. 2 doubles and Oestreich and Aschenbrenner took the third flight, 6-3, 6-1.
"No. 2 doubles did a nice job of focusing on the play rather than the score. They are constantly looking to improve. Mistakes bother them in a positive way," Heideman said. "At No. 3 doubles, in the firs set they were hitting good first shots, but when Antigo returned it, (they were) a little slow to react. The difference in the second set was they were ready for the return."
The victories put Rhinelander four points ahead of conference newcomer Pacelli in the standings. The Hodags also have a match in hand on the Cardinals, who they will play in a doubleheader in Rhinelander May 9.
Rhinelander will have a rematch with Medford today at the RHS tennis courts.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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