GNC play starts with a 7-0 win

MEDFORD GIRLS TENNIS

The Medford Raiders put their first notch in the Great Northern Conference win column in their girls tennis home opener Tuesday, rolling past the Phillips Loggers 7-0.

All seven varsity wins came in straight sets with only a couple of rough patches as the Raiders improved to 3-3 overall heading into a busy weekend of dual meets at the two-day Altoona Invite.

Senior Myah Smith and junior Masaeda Krug teamed up for the first time at number-one doubles and started strong with a 6-1 win over their first set with Brooke Stein and Ariel Henney. They took a 5-2 lead in the second set, allowed the Loggers to tie the set at 5-5 but then regained control with Krug serving to break the tie and go on to win 7-5.

Seniors Eryka Seidl and Alyssa Brandner teamed up for the first time in flight two and cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win over Megan DeLeasky and Kaitlyn Matthewson. Senior Chloe Werner and junior Madison Clarkson had no trouble in flight three with Breanna Hollinger and Kaley Fischer, winning 6-1, 6-0.

Senior Morgan Huegli defeated Rachel Fusak at number-one singles 6-1, 6-1 in a match that, at times, was more competitive than the score indicates with several good rallies. Senior Makayla Motte controlled her number-two match with Arianna Riley 6-0, 6-2.

Sophomore Audrey Ruesch was a 6-2, 6-2 winner at number-three over Kiley Soberg. Senior Christine Czeshinski got out to a 4-1 lead in the first set of her number- four match with Isabelle Teeters, stumbled for a couple of games but then ripped off a run of eight straight games won to close out a 6-3, 6-0 win.

After the two-day event in Altoona, Medford heads to Rhinelander for a challenging GNC dual with the Hodags that starts with JV play at 3:30 p.m. Varsity matches are expected to start at about 5:30 p.m.

Medford hosts Newman Catholic at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 1.