Hodag tennis falls to SPASH 5-2

The Rhinelander High School boys’ tennis team came up short Tuesday in a non-conference test against one of the best teams in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, and one of the teams it will likely need to get through later this month in the WIAA tournament.

Rhinelander’s wins came at the bottom flights Tuesday as it fell to Stevens Point 5-2 on the road. 

The Hodags (8-9, 2-0 Great Northern) went with an altered lineup — one that may resemble what they will use in the postseason — but were unable to keep up with the Panthers (8-7, 2-1 Wis. Valley). 

“It shows us where we kind of sit in the sub(sectional),” Matt Nichols said of a match that could be key in determining seeding for the first round of the WIAA tournament. “We knew SPASH was one of the top teams, so we have obviously head-to-head there so we kind of get a better idea of where we might shake out and we have a better idea of who is likely to make it onto sectionals. But, beyond that, (it shows) just what we need to work on so that by the time we get to subs that we could hopefully correct the errors we made today and change the future.”

The Hodags went senior-heavy in their doubles lineup, but dropped matches in the top two flights. Aiden Ostermann and Michael Schiek were beaten 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 while Payton McCue and Karter Massey once again made the move over from singles. They lost a competitive match at No. 2, falling to Zak Ekstrand and Donovan Bannach 7-6 (1), 6-4. 

“I was hopeful that both of them would compete a little more, at least on paper,” Nichols said. “No. 2 doubles was very close to at least forcing a couple more games and, potentially a match tiebreak, but you know they were the worse team today and they got beat. It shows us things to work on and, hopefully in the long run, it’ll make a stronger — not only if we see SPASH again, but other teams in the future as well.”

Hart Hokens and Van Tulowitzky earned the win at No. 3 doubles, staving off Point’s Wyatt Thielman and Corbin Osegard in a match tiebreaker 6-4, 4-6, 10-5. 

“That’s a really nice win for them (as) two seniors that have moved onto the varsity roster this year — a lot of No. 2 double some No. 3 doubles — but obviously a competitive match,” Nichols said. “SPASH, they have a lot of nice players and it was a nice one for them just to stay in it the whole time. It was very close, obviously with the set scores in the tiebreak. Then, beyond that, just their attitude in their mentality to push through and win a tight match is really cool and I applaud them for that.”

Sophomore Aidan Lueder, a first-year high school tennis player, scored the Hodags’ lone other victory, picking up a 6-1, 6-4 win over Point’s Reid Neuman at the No. 4 singles flight. It was Lueder’s first win in singles on the season. 

“It was exciting to see him jump into that position but, beyond jumping up,” Nichols said. “It was never a question of just filling a spot. We knew that any guy in our line could compete and it was exciting for him to really step up. From the get-go he was he was very focused. He played a great game and a nice win.”

Asher Rivord, Calvin Loomis and Braydon Lorman played the top three singles flights for the Hodags and all lost in straight sets. 

After a long string on non-conference matches, the Hodags are back in the GNC for two pivotal matches to determine their placement heading into the conference tournament later this month. Rhinelander was back in Stevens Point Thursday to face Pacelli in a match that concluded after press time for this edition. The outcome of that match had the potential to move Rhinelander either into a tie for first, or into first place outright in the conference, heading into a big home showdown against Medford this coming Tuesday. 

Entering Thursday’s play, Lakeland led the GNC with 34 points, but had played all four of its conference duals. Medford was on 32 points with one dual renaming and Rhinelander had 22 points with two duals remaining. Teams can earn up to 14 points per dual, with two points being awarded for victories at each individual flight. 

“Every flight we play is going to be important,” Nichols said. “We can’t underestimate anyone. We can’t underestimate ourselves and we just have to go in and play our best tennis … Two huge matches coming up. With so few teams, and some forfeits mixed in, every flight is all the more important.” 

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].