Escanaba senior Samantha Korpi prepares to deliver a serve against Gladston on Aug. 19, 2024 at Pfotenhauer Park in Gladstone. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)
NEGAUNEE — In 2023 Escanaba and Negaunee girl’s tennis were as even as they come. In fact, they tied for the D1 U.P. State Tile.
In 2024, however, Negaunee took back control. It was a tough day on the courts for Eskymos as they fell 7-1 to the Miners on Monday.
It was a battle at No. 1 singles as Negaunee’s Aubrey Johnson picked up a hard fought win over Escanaba senior Maggie Martin 7-6(2), 6-4.
“I was happy with the effort we gave,” Escanaba coach Chris Ogren said. “Maggie did a great job of battling back after falling behind 1-4 in the first set.”
Martin lost the first set by tie-breaker and was tied 4-4 in the second set but ultimately fell 4-6.
“Aubrey is a great player with a ton of experience,” Ogren said. “It was great for Maggie to play well against a player like her.”
The best match of the day for the Eskymos came at No. 4 singles, as Escanaba senior Raegan Dubord defeated Negaunee’s Addie Champman6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
“Having a senior at No. 4 singles today was huge for us,” Ogren said. “She has been playing tennis in Escanaba for four years now and her experience and composure really showed up today in this roller coaster win today.”
Escanaba tennis will be back in action at 10 a.m. today to host the Great Northern Conference tournament.
Singles
No. 1 Johnson, N def. M, Martin 7-6(2), 6-4; No. 2 Saunders, N def. Korpi 6-3, 6-3; No. 3 Nelson, N def. Hill 6-0, 6-1; No. 4 Dubord, E def. Chapman 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
Doubles
No. 1 Schultz-Peters, N def, A. Martin-Maki 6-1, 6-4; No. 2 Ring-Borlace, N def. Hughes-Smale 6-2, 6-4; No. 3 Kerkela-Brunette, N def. Hackelman-Elliott 6-3, 6-2; No. 4 Wills-Palomaki, N def. Cady-Miron 6-2, 6-1.