Escanaba’s Samantha Korpi makes a play on the ball during a match against Gladstone on Aug. 19, 2024 at Pfotenhauer Park in Gladstone. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — High school girls tennis season officially arrived in 2024 for Escanaba and Gladstone.

The two rivals squared off in their respective season openers on Monday in Gladstone. The Eskymos bested the Braves in the first meeting, winning all eight matches.

In the number one singles match, Maggie Martin looked strong defeating Lauren Sundquist 6-0, 6-1.

“I was a little nervous at the start,” Martin said. “I love tennis, so it was fun. We have some new lineups because we lost some seniors, but we are ready to go again.”

Number two singles had Samantha Korpi defeat Tati Martinez 6-0, 6-2.

“It felt good out there today,” Korpi said. “We lost Sophie Derkos. She was a dominant player, but we are all working hard to make up for what has been lost.”

In number three singles, Sophie Hill defeated Alexis Burch 6-1, 6-0. Raegon Dubord picked up the win in number four singles, defeating Carly Maki 6-3, 6-1.

“I saw some good things on the tennis court today,” Gladstone coach Ryan Barron said. “We are still pretty green, but the girls are responding well in practice. It’s still early, we will get there.”

Escanaba rolled in doubles action. The Eskymos’ top doubles pairing of Sonya Maki and Anna Martin defeated Mac Nelson and Lola Vargo in a pair of 6-0 sets. In number two doubles Danni Hughes and Molly Smale also won in a pair of 6-0 sets as did Brooklyn Hackelman and Aubrey Elliott over Gladstone’s Miranda Drielick and Marta LaPlant and Escanaba’s number four doubles tandem of Hannah Cady and Brooke Miron over Taylor Hasings and Ella Howes.

“Our doubles teams looked really clean today,” Chris Ogren said. “We did a good job of being assertive at the net but not being too over the top.”

Escanaba and Gladstone will both be back in action Thursday as Escanaba host Menominee while Gladstone will host Marquette. Both matches are at 11 a.m.

Singles

No. 1 M. Martin, def. Sundquist 6-0, 6-1; No. 2 Korpi, def. Martinez 6-0, 6-2; No. 3 Hill, def. Burch 6-1, 6-0; No. 4 Dubord, def. C. Maki 6-3, 6-1.

Doubles

No. 1 S. Maki-A. Martin, def. Nelson-Vargo 6-0, 6-0; No. 2 Hughes-Smale def. Ketchum-Mathias 6-0, 6-0; No. 3 Hackelman-Elliott def. Drielick-LaPlant 6-0, 6-0; No. 4 Miron-Cody def. Hastings-Howes 6-2, 6-0.