Redmen crush Eskymos

By BRANDON VEALE, Escanaba Daily Press
ESCANABA — An experimental line-up showed promise Tuesday, but the Escanaba tennis team could not avoid an 8-0 sweep at the hands of Marquette Senior High School.


“We had a lot of guys playing in a lot of different spots,” Esky coach Jim Hansen said.


The Eskymos faced a major experience deficit. Hansen said 22 of the 26 Eskymos have two years or less of playing experience, and 11 of 12 regular starters graduated from 2007.


Justin Sliva and Chris Ogren at No. 2 doubles, playing together for the first time, surprised Jon Hill and Neil Waudby by winning the first set 6-3. Hill and Waudby then stormed to a 6-0 win to even the match.


Deft shotmaking in a gusty north wind punctuated the final set. Hill and Waudby came from behind to hold a 4-3 lead and the serve in the late stages.


Following three straight breaks of serve, Escanaba was ahead 40-love in game 10, one point away from tying the set at five. However, Hill and Waudby won the next five points, the set and the match.


“The last game, I just refocused myself and I decided I needed to get more serves in, and that’s what I think won the game,” Hill said.