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KHS tennis wins battle of youth

KINGSFORD – Both the Kingsford Flivvers and Iron Mountain Mountaineers girls tennis teams entered the 2025 season with a bevy of new players. So, a significant portion of their early-season work has been focused on fitting the right players into the right spots and then building some match experience and confidence.

The two squads met for the first time Thursday at the Kingsford High School tennis courts to test their progress and the Flivvers won the duel 6-2.

The Flivvers took three of the four singles matches and three of the four doubles matches.

“We have a young lineup this year, losing nine varsity placements from last year’s seniors,” Kingsford coach Tracy Rutter said. “We are working through lineup changes, and we are seeing improvements with each match.”

The one player the Flivvers have who has needed no adjustment is No. 1 singles player Aubrie Moore. That showed Thursday when the sophomore scored a 6-0, 6-1 win over IM’s Alysia Wood.

Moore is coming off a sensational freshman campaign after which she was selected to the Division 1 All-U.P. first team and she has not missed a beat in her second go-around.

“Aubrie continues to dominate,” said Rutter, who was named the Division 1 coach of the year in 2024. “She is a force and a lot of fun to watch.”

Kingsford’s other singles victories came from Maddy Sleik at No. 2 and Chloe Lanning at No. 3. Sleik upended Avea Brown 6-2, 6-3, while Lanning knocked off Grace Webb 6-2, 6-1.

In doubles, the Flivvers posted wins in six of the nine sets played. At the top flight, Kylee Woodward and Aubrey Bellmore defeated Lindsey Lewandowski and Ella Theisen 6-3, 6-3.

Rutter said the newcomers have developed chemistry quickly.

“(They) are settling in nicely with each other,” she said. “Neither played at this level last year, and they are handling the challenges well.”

Meanwhile, the Flivvers also posted wins at No. 2 doubles and No. 4 doubles. At No. 2, Alaysa Bacon and Mira Johnson knocked off Olivia Geneva and Kailey Jayne 6-2, 6-0, while at No. 4, Claire Rutter and Alexa Hearn held off Rhiannon Johnson and Kaya Grassinger 6-2, 1-6, 10-6.

The Mountaineers scored victories at No. 3 singles where Jacalyn Rowe defeated Maddy Zeuskie 6-3, 7-5 and at No. 3 doubles where freshmen Penelope Geneva and Jules Saldana won their first match at that flight with a 6-1, 7-6 victory over Natalie Bjorne and Macy Giesau.

IM coach Keith Huotari complemented the winners and gave an update on the progress of his neophyte squad.

“The Flivvers had a little too much for us today, but there were definite bright spots for us,” Huotari said. “The girls are learning how to play, and to see some results of that is very encouraging.”

On the other hand, Rutter said she is thankful that her team’s match slate eases next week.

“We have had a packed schedule since we started, and I’m looking forward to having a lighter week next week to get in some practice time.”

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