(Matt McCarthy/Daily News photos) West Iron No. 1 doubles players Tori Bociek, above, left, and Madison Berutti, in back, defeated Kingsford’s Teagan Petchar, below, left, and Lizzy Cross, right, in three sets at the Kingsford High School tennis facility on Thursday morning.

By MATT “SWEETS” McCARTHY

Sports Writer

KINGSFORD — In Great Northern Conference girls tennis action at the Kingsford High School tennis facility Thursday morning, Kingsford opened the season against West Iron, dropping a 5-3 decision.

“This was a solid first match against a very evenly matched squad in Kingsford, said WIC coach Joe Serbentas. “There was lots of inconsistencies out there with our team, with plenty to work on in the upcoming weeks.”

Serbentas added “Livea Mazurek really played a mistake free match and set up her points nicely. Tori and Madison (No. 1 doubles) clinched the match for us with their three- set victory in a fun back and forth match. It felt good to finally get out and compete against another school.”

The Wykons swept the singles matches, with team veterans Mazurek, Kali Applin, Aurora Dahl at No. 1 thru No. 3 respectively. No. 4 singles was played by freshman Brynlee Nodurft.

The No. 1 doubles match came down to an extra match in the third and final set. The Wykons’ Madison Berutti and Tori Bociek defeated Kingsford’s Lizzy Cross and Teagan Petchar 0-6, 6-4, 7-5 to seal the dual win for West Iron.

Petchar and Cross were down 40-love with a 6-4 set loss hanging in the balance. They came back and tied the set at 5-5, then the Wykons duo fought back to take the set 7-5, and the match 2-1.

Kingsford’s three match wins on the day came from No. 2 thru No. 4 doubles; Liz Penegor-Jenna Olkkonen at No. 2, Brooke Bittinger-Macy Holmes at No. 3 and Paige Janoshek-Ashlyn Blaskowski at No. 4.

“We played a very good match today against WIC, and overall we were pretty evenly matched,” said Flivvers head coach Tracy Rutter. “We definitely have some kinks to iron out, and plenty to work on over the next couple of weeks.”

“Our No. 1 doubles played extremely well to kick off their senior season. No. 2’s got right back into the swing of the season, they are so much fun to watch.”

“No. 3 and No. 4 were first timers playing high school tennis and played very well. I’m excited to see where the season takes them,” Rutter said.

Rutter also noted that the Flivvers singles players all played well in their matches.

Both teams are back on the hard courts this morning, with Kingsford hosting its annual Invitational. The six teams area being split up into two sites, due to coronavirus precautionary measures. Kingsford will host Westwood and Escanaba.

West Iron will face Menominee and Iron Mountain at the East Side Courts below Mountain View Ice Arena in Iron Mountain.

West Iron County 5, Kingsford 3

Singles:

No. 1 – Livea Mazurek, WIC def. Maegan Dooley, K 6-1, 6-0.

No. 2 – Kali Applin, WIC def. Maggie Menghini, K 6-3, 6-1.

No. 3 – Aurora Dahl, WIC def. Ava Peters, K, 6-3, 6-1.

No. 4 – Brynlee Nodurft, WIC def. Ashley DeMay, K, 6-2,6-2

Doubles:

No. 1 – Tori Bociek- Madison Berutti, WIC def. Teagan Petschar-Lizzy Cross, K 0-6, 6-4, 7-5.

No. 2 – Liz Penegor-Jenna Olkkonen, K def. Katarina Hemeleski- Aubrey Bice, WIC 6-1,6-1

No. 3 – Brooke Bittinger- Macy Holmes, K def. Callista Bartolameolli- Bailey Hoffart WIC 6-2, 7-6 (3)

No. 4 – Paige Janoshek- Ashlyn Blaskowski, K def. Hailee Bradshaw- Taylor Bett, WIC 6-0, 6-1.