Boys Tennis takes another loss to Lakeland, shows improvement at GNC Meet
For the Antigo Times
The Robin tennis team lost to Lakeland by the same score, 5-2, as when they played earlier in the season, with the duo of Jared McFarlane and Zach Reineke and number four singles player Jerome Jones securing the two points. “Overall, the team played well, even in the losses. Antigo’s number one single player, Tanner Stueck closed out the evening, pushing Peterson of Lakeland to three sets. Previously, Stueck only won a total of two games, and this time he came close to winning,” Coach David Zalewski said. Jones easily won in two sets, and in his last meeting with Lakeland’s Kempinger, it took him three close sets.
Antigo’s number two doubles team continue to entertain with their hustle and positive attitude on the court. The pair have great chemistry and this helps them to enjoy competing together. “I told the boys before the meet that ‘you never lose if you do your best’ and I feel that the team did their best.”
Antigo hosted the Great Northern Conference tennis meet at the Elleson courts on a beautiful sunny Friday. All the teams put on an entertaining day of tennis for the many spectators who filled the viewing area. The red robin boys did their job showing those who came how much they have improved.
Though Antigo finished last this year, the potential for this young team is encouraging. Tanner Stueck finally chalked up some wins, saving his best tennis of the season for this meet. Seeded fifth, he beat Pacelli’s Nick Hasler first, pushed eventual winner Marcus Johnson from Rhinelander to two close sets, and followed up with a first time win over Aaron Peterson from Lakeland to take third place. “Tanner played smart tennis today, hitting with a variety of shots and never giving up,” said Zalewski.
Jerome Jones secured a victory over Lakeland’s Tom Kempinger and did well against Medford’s Calvin Kleist. “Jerome is very athletic and gives the team a solid building block for the future.”
The young duo of Joe Bartletti and Brady Bunnell didn’t get a victory, but had moments of incredible tennis as they had strong showings against both Rhinelander and Pacelli. “These two know how to compete and are growing in their understanding of the doubles game. The future is bright for this pair!”
Antigo’s most improved players, the number two doubles team of McFarlane and Reineke grabbed Antigo’s other victory as they put away Lakeland’s Berger and Thompson. However, they lost to Rhinelander, who won this flight, and then battled Pacelli through two close sets. “These two guys started the season very green, never having been on the team, but they worked hard and have become a highlight of the season.”
Antigo plays Monday at Rhinelander in the division two subsectional.
MINOCQUA LAKELAND HIGH 5, ANTIGO HIGH 2
Singles
No. 1 — Aaron Petersen, LAKELAND HIGH, def. Tanner Stueck, ANTIGO HIGH, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1; No. 2 — Matt Holmes, LAKELAND HIGH, def. Alex Gray, ANTIGO HIGH, 1-6, 3-6; No. 3 — Zach Kane, LAKELAND HIGH, def. Simon Mcphail, ANTIGO HIGH, 6-0, 6-2; No. 4 — Jerome Jones, ANTIGO HIGH, def. Tom Kempinger, LAKELAND HIGH, 6-0
Doubles
No. 1 — Jack Garcia-Anthony Holmes, LAKELAND HIGH, def. Brody Bunnell-Joe Bartletti, ANTIGO HIGH 6-4, 6-1; No. 2 — Jared McFarlane-Zach Reineke, ANTIGO HIGH, def. Gavin Thompson-Sam Berger, LAKELAND HIGH 6-2, 6-3; No. 3 — Josh Kakuschke-Alex Tucker, LAKELAND HIGH, def. Tyler Hickman-Ben Morris, ANTIGO HIGH 6-0, 6-3
ANTIGO HIGH 4, RHINELANDER HIGH 4, MEDFORD HIGH 3, STEVENS POINT PACELLI HIGH SCHOOL 3, MINOCQUA LAKELAND HIGH 0
Singles
No. 1 — Tanner Stueck, ANTIGO HIGH, def. Aaron Petersen, LAKELAND HIGH, 7-6, 7-5; No. 1 — Tanner Stueck, ANTIGO HIGH, def. Nick Hasler, Pacelli High School, 6-3, 6-3; No. 1 — Markus Johnson, RHINELANDER HIGH, def. Tanner Stueck, ANTIGO HIGH, 6-4, 6-3; No. 2 — Charlie Branstetter, MEDFORD HIGH, def. Alex Gray, ANTIGO HIGH, 6-0, 6-1; No. 3 — Jarrett Shields, Pacelli High School, def. Simon Mcphail, ANTIGO HIGH, 6-2, 6-1; No. 4 — Freddy Wisner, RHINELANDER HIGH, def . Jerome Jones, ANTIGO HIGH, 6-1, 6-2; No. 4 — Jerome Jones, ANTIGO HIGH, def. Tom Kempinger, LAKELAND HIGH, 7-5, 6-3; No. 4 — Carson Kleist, MEDFORD HIGH, def. Jerome Jones, ANTIGO HIGH, 6-2, 6-4
Doubles
No. 1 — Mathias Kroening-Charlie Kulick, Pacelli High School, def. Joe Bartletti-Brody Bunnell,ANTIGO HIGH 7-6, 6-0; No. 1 — Jared Haug-Conner Young, RHINELANDER HIGH, def. Joe Bartletti-Brody Bunnell,ANTIGO HIGH 6-3, 6-1; No. 2 — Zach Reineke-Jared McFarlane, ANTIGO HIGH, def. Sam Berger-Gavin Thompson,LAKELAND HIGH 6-3, 7-6; No. 2 — Thomas Basala-Chris Jensen, Pacelli High School, def. Zach Reineke-Jared McFarlane,ANTIGO HIGH 7-6, 6-3; No. 2 — Grant Gilbert-Jared Fabich, RHINELANDER HIGH, def. Jared McFarlane-Zach Reineke,ANTIGO HIGH 6-2, 6-1; No. 3 — Riley Kleist-Zach Kawa, MEDFORD HIGH, def. Tyler Hickman-Anthony Lenzner,ANTIGO HIGH 6-1, 6-3