Marquette Senior High School’s No. 1 singles player Nick Oliver keeps his eye on the ball in action against the Gladstone Braves Thursday in Marquette. (Journal photo by Travis Nelson)

MARQUETTE — Tennis season finally got underway in Marquette, and the Redmen picked up a season-opening 5-0 sweep over the visiting Gladstone Braves in a GNC dual meet on Thursday afternoon.

Due to numbers, Gladstone only fielded 1-3 singles and 1-2 doubles. The Redmen took advantage, and only gave up two games total in five matches played. Not only did the team get to play someone else outside, but MSHS delivered with a strong performance to begin the season.

“First of all, it was dry and sunny, and it felt very nice, and I think everyone appreciated that,” Marquette coach Karl Thomsen said. “I thought our kids played really well, they did the things that we hoped that they would do and worked on in practice. I really liked the way that our doubles teams communicated.”

Nick Oliver got the action started for the Redmen at No. 1 singles, and defeated Chad Britton, 6-0, 6-0. Matt Barsch gave up a game in the first set to Dragan Graham, but came away with a 6-1, 6-0 victory in No. 2 singles. Chase Thomsen played in his first varsity match at No. 3 singles, and closed out a shutout win over Sam Headman, 6-0, 6-0.

Marquette’s No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams also scored convincing wins. Jason Ardaray and William Oliver defeated Landon Free and Gunnar Wicklund, 6-0, 6-0 in No. 1 doubles. The Redmen No. 2 doubles team of Kenton Ansell and Andrew King also gave up a game in the second set, but prevailed 6-0, 6-1 over Max Wilson and Gideon Barron. Both MSHS double teams also each had one half playing in their first varsity match.

“For a few of the kids, it was literally their first varsity match ever,” Thomsen said. “For them to come in and get some experience under their belt and have a successful day, we’ll see Gladstone again, hopefully it builds some confidence and we can keep it rolling.”

Marquette finished in fourth place last season in the U.P. Finals, trailing behind Escanaba, Negaunee and Menominee. Thomsen hopes to see improvement over the season from his team, but in terms of expectations, he wants them to try hard and enjoy it.

“We would love to just see effort and fun,” Thomsen said. “If you have those two things going for you, good things will happen.”

The Redmen are back in action at 3:30 p.m. on Monday at Ishpeming in another dual meet. Marquette will play Gladstone once again next week on Wednesday, this time on the road.

Travis Nelson can be reached by email at tnelson@miningjournal.net.