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IRON RIVER -- West Iron County's boys varsity tennis team dominated in three singles flights and Kingsford controlled three doubles matches as the teams battled to a 4-4 tie Wednesday at the Nelson Field tennis courts in Iron River.
The draw seemed to be a just result as both teams now stand at 1-2-1 on the season.
For the Wykons, No. 1 singles Matthew Dutcher (6-3, 6-2), No. 2 singles Caleb Strom (6-3, 6-2) and No. 3 singles Ethan Isaacson (6-3, 6-1) all notched straight-set victories. On the other hand, the Flivvers scored swept two sets at the first, third and fourth doubles flights. Isaac Nash-Ben Trevillian rolled to a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 1 doubles, while Morgan Sleik-Hunter Hulkonen scored a 6-2, 6-3 victory at No. 2 doubles and Cale Harris-Eli Wallis dropped just one game at No. 4 doubles.
Kingsford's Trent Maki recorded a 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4 singles for the Flivvers' fourth point.
That left the No. 2 doubles match to decide if the match would end up tied or in favor of Kingsford. A tough three-setter ensued before Logan McCord and Jackson Strom came back to defeat Charlie Christesen and Jacob Saari 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
"I was very pleased to come away with a tie against a very athletic Kingsford squad," WIC coach Joe Serbentas said. "Our singles players really cut down on unforced errors in their matches to come away with some very solid wins.
"In the final match of the evening to finish up, both sides showed spurts of good tennis and consistency. In the end we were able to make enough big shots to stay on top in the final set to close it out for the tie."
Serbentas said his inexperienced squad is showing signs of growth.
"I like what I am seeing from my players but we need to continue to build on each and every match if we want to get to the next level of competition. Looking forward to testing our skills at the Kingsford invite on Saturday against some of the best teams in the U.P."
MOUNTAINEERS 5, HEMATITES 3
KINGSFORD -- After playing to a 4-all tie against Ishpeming on Tuesday, the Iron Mountain boys varsity tennis team inched past the Hematites on Wednesday for a 5-3 win in a match played at Kingsford High School.
The Mountaineers juggled their lineup a bit as Tuesday's No. 2 singles starter Brenden LaPoint, coming back from an injury, was rested in the rematch. His replacement Kaden Sheldon, who won the No. 3 singles match on Tuesday, put up a good fight but dropped a 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-4 result.
Iron Mountain's other singles flights put up wins -- David Juul 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles before Reece Kangas 6-0, 6-3 at No. 2 singles and Matt Richer 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (3) in a huge result at No. 4 singles.
The Mountaineers also scored a three-set triumph at No. 3 doubles where Lucas Kassin-Andrew Larsen fought off a tough start to post a 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 win. On the other hand, Carter Kassin-Dylan Lindgren recorded a straight-set victory, 7-5, 6-2.
"It was nice to see instant improvement today," IM coach Marcus Celello said. "We had three matches go to third sets, and I'm proud of all of those players. Lucas Kassin and Andrew Larsen got off to a bumpy start, but once they settled down and figured out how to approach this match, they played their best tennis of the season.
Celello added that Richer, in his first singles match of the campaign, was unfazed by dropping the first set in his win.
"Overall, I'm extremely proud of the way the guys battled today, both mentally and physically. This was a quality win for us."