Iron Mountain’s No. 1 singles player Callie Bianco (pictured) and Kingsford’s Ashlyn Blaskowski trade shots during their match Wednesday at Kingsford High School. Bianco won the clash 6-3, 6-0, though the match may have been closer had Blaskowski been completely healthy. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

KINGSFORD — Any time Iron Mountain and Kingsford meet in any sporting event, it’s a special occasion. That is true whether the athletes feel extra motivation or rivalrous or because so many of them are friends.

In the girls tennis match between the schools on Wednesday, that tone was enhanced because the match had an important purpose – to raise money to support those whose lives have been touched by cancer.

In turn, the match was called “Playing for Pink.”

“We don’t get to participate in the breast cancer awareness (month) in October, so (IM coach) Marcus (Celello) and I wanted to do this, and it was something that the girls wanted to do,” Kingsford coach Tracy Rutter said. “It’s a good community service event, and how special to be able to do it with Iron Mountain, benefitting loved ones that may have gone through something, we know have gone through something or who have passed away from cancer.”

Rutter said plans are to establish the “Playing for Pink” match to become an annual event. This year’s match raised $432 in support from spectators and a few people who sent donations directly to the coaches.

Iron Mountain’s No. 1 singles player Callie Bianco and Kingsford’s Ashlyn Blaskowski (pictured) trade shots during their match Wednesday at Kingsford High School. Bianco won the clash 6-3, 6-0, though the match may have been closer had Blaskowski been completely healthy. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

In the match itself, Iron Mountain swept the singles flights and won the No. 1 doubles match to defeat the host Flivvers 5-3. The senior-laded Mountaineer singles lineup led the way with four straight-set victories. In fact, none of the eight matches on the day went beyond two sets.

Iron Mountain’s No. 1 singles player, Callie Bianco, defeated Ashlyn Blaskowski 6-3, 6-0 in a match that may have been closer had Blaskowski been completely healthy.

The Flivver senior is just back in the lineup after battling the flu.

But take nothing away from Bianco, who showcased her impressive skill set during the two sets.

“Callie has got a very deep repertoire,” Celello said. “She’s got every tool in her toolbelt that you’d be looking for, and that’s what you need at that level, to really separate yourself from your opponents.

“Today she stayed locked in mentally, and she executed very well with all of her shots.”

At No. 2 singles, Mountaineer senior and defending U.P. Division 2 No. 2 singles champion Aziza Burgoon stayed unbeaten on the year with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Paige Janousek.

After dropping her first match in 2021, Burgoon has not lost since.

“Aziza’s having another spectacular season,” Celello said. “She’s a competitor. She’s a hockey player and sometimes that shows on the tennis courts. She’s aggressive, but at the same time, she stays very level-headed.”

Natalia Brown swept all 12 games in her victory over Ella Rizzo at No. 3 singles, while Rediet Husing dropped just two games in her win over Allette Shanks.

“Natalia’s strength is she’s consistent,” Celello said. “At the 3 singles level, that’s what it often comes down to, who is more consistent. And she has good endurance.

“(Rediet) is not really a typical four singles player in a lot of ways,” he continued. “She’s a very well-rounded player and she’s very consistent. It’s a mental game at 4 singles, trying to stay locked in at times against different opponents, but she does a great job of doing that.”

Iron Mountain’s doubles victory came from seniors Anja Kleiman and Elle Lofholm, who upended Lexie Vross and Ellyce Doenier 6-3, 6-1. The Mountaineer duo broke serve twice to open a 4-0 lead in the first set and were well on their way to the victory.

Despite the fact that it’s the first year that Kleiman and Lofholm have played doubles together, the pairing clicked from the start.

“We already have amazing chemistry together,” Kleiman said.

Last season, Kleiman finished runner-up in the U.P. at No. 1 doubles with partner Bella Brown and Lofholm finished second in the U.P. at No. 4 singles. But in 2022, Kleiman and Lofholm have joined forces.

Lofholm’s quick adjustment to doubles, at least from the baseline, has helped ease her transition.

“I chose to (play doubles) because we have a good all-around team and we thought that our team would benefit in doubles if I did this,” Lofholm said. “But the change was good and it was fast. In singles I didn’t come to the net that much, so that was a big difference and I’m still adjusting to that.”

Not to worry because her partner is the quintessential doubles net player. Kleiman has long arms and an wide reach and presents an intimidating figure up close, as she admits with a smile.

“I’d say I’m pretty intimidating,” Kleiman said. “I’ve heard that a couple of times before. I’ve got long limbs so my reach is good. It’s pretty good to have that advantage, I’d say.”

The Flivvers won the remaining three matches. At No. 2 doubles, senior Linnea Grubb and junior Addison Rutter recorded a 6-2, 6-3 win over Avea Brown and Anika Cameron.

Grubb said the two doubles teams went into the match familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“I truly believe that tennis is a mental game, and if you go into it not knowing who you’re playing or just unprepared, you’re not going to win unless your lucky,” she said.

Her partner said their long friendship helps, too.

“Me and her have known each other for a long time,” Rutter said of Grubb, her partner of the last three seasons. “We’ve been close, and she knows when I’m upset. She calms me down. We’re good friends, so we don’t get mad at each other or anything.”

Kingsford’s No. 3 doubles pairing Audrey Veale and Aubrey Phillips knocked off Hailey Greenleaf and Kilee Howe 6-2, 6-3, while No. 4 doubles Libby Vross and Ava Lovell defeated Maddie Powell and Mallory Maracini 6-0, 6-3.

Coach Rutter said her team remains as feisty as ever as it heads into the final stretch of the regular season.

“They are definitely a competitive group of girls, sometimes a little too competitive,” she said. “It’s like, ‘You have to remember it’s tennis not tackle football.'”