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Making them work

Wildcats competitive in loss to Petoskey

News Photo by James Andersen Alpena’s Giselle King serves the ball during a No. 3 doubles match against Petoskey on Wednesday at the APlex. King and her playing partner Lara King lost 1-6, 0-6.

The offseason work Gwyn Denbleyker put in has been paying off.

Alpena’s No. 1 singles player continued her strong start to the season, defeating Petoskey’s Alex King 6-3, 6-1 in a Big North Conference match on Wednesday at the APlex.

Denbleyker’s victory was one of two victories for the Wildcats against the Northmen and her third straight this season. Denbleyker and King went back and forth in the first set, trading points and games before Denbleyker pulled away.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a freshman come in with a high skill level. She has a nice variety to her game and can change the pace,” Alpena coach Charlie Giordano said. “It’s nice to see her do well against Petoskey. They’re a very good team.”

Denbleyker’s high level of competitiveness was just one example in a strong showing by the Wildcats despite a 6-2 loss. Alpena fought for points all day, extended matches and made Petoskey work for wins.

News File Photo Alpena’s No. 1 singles player Gwyn DenBleyker returns a volley from Petoskey’s Alex Graham in this 2018 News file photo.

“They were extremely competitive. The girls represented themselves well,” Giordano said. “Petoskey is one of the top teams in the conference and we played well. Our second doubles team lost bad in the first set and battled back in the second set. Our three and four doubles teams worked hard to get to deuce several times and just lost some points at the wrong times.”

Alpena’s No. 1 singles team of Breanne Kieliszewski and Taylor Belanger defeated Petoskey’s Vanessa Stokel and Sydney Hintz 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

In other singles matches, Alpena’s Brynna Smith lost at No. 2 singles 1-6, 0-6; Emeline Hanna lost at No. 3 singles 0-6, 0-6 and Claire Butch lost at No. 4 singles 1-6, 0-6.

Alpena’s No. 2 doubles team of Katie Nicholson and Marissa Centala lost 1-6, 5-7; Alpena’s No. 3 doubles team of Lara and Giselle King lost 1-6, 0-6 and Alpena’s No. 4 doubles team of Rachel Hart and Amelia Berles lost 3-6, 0-6.

Giordano said his team is becoming more results driven and is putting in the work to make the program more competitive. Alpena didn’t have school on Wednesday and yet several JV players came in a few hours before the match, rented court time and practiced.

“I’m proud of what the girls are doing and how they’re spending their time. We have a strong tennis community and the kids understand now the work you need to put in to get better,” Giordano said. “You could see obviously today by the way they played.”

In JV matches, Alpena’s Taylor Hansen-Bates lost 2-6, 0-6; Dani Schackmann lost 0-6, 0-6; Eleni Hantzis lost 0-6, 0-6 and Josie Baker and Kristen Wirgau lost 1-6, 0-6.

Alpena is scheduled to play outside for the first time this season on Saturday at a quad in Flushing.

The Wildcats have three matches under their belt this season, but Giordano is interested to see how his team responds when sun, wind, cold and a difference playing surface factor into play.

“Indoor tennis is different than outdoor tennis and it’ll be fun to watch,” Giordano said. “It will be a culture shock for them, but it will be fun.”

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