HIBBING—The Hibbing High School boys tennis team just keeps growing.
Bluejacket coach Gary Conda moved some players around, and Hibbing didn’t miss a beat, beating Grand Rapids/Greenway 6-1 Wednesday at the Lincoln Elementary School Courts.
Overall, the Bluejackets didn’t miss a beat.
“We did OK,” Conda said. “I don’t think we were as fired up as we could have been. We had a couple of kids in new spots and that makes a difference. Tyler (Fisher) and Joey (Gabardi) went from doubles to first time playing singles.
“Joey struggled with his consistency. He hit a lot of balls into the doubles court. Tyler was impressive. He has a solid backhand, and he was pounding that backhand back with good depth. He was taking control of the match that way.”
Fisher beat Grady Giffen 6-2, 6-3 at second singles, but Gabardi fell to Jax Colter at third singles, 6-2, 6-4.
At first singles, Isaiah Hildenbrand beat Ben Schroeder 6-2, 6-2, and Rex Walli won his fourth-singles match 6-0, 6-0 over Reid Gagnon.
“Isaiah lost a little focus out there, but he hit the shots when he needed to,” Conda said. “Rex continues to get a little better every time he plays. It’s helping.”
At third doubles, Ethan Johnson and Ryan Norenberg would beat Sam Johnson and Jack Sonder 6-3, 6-1, but it took some work to get them going.
“They were nervous as all get out,” Conda said. “They lost the first three games, and they were ready to throw the towel in until we had a little discussion about it. I think they won the next six games. I had to build their confidence up a little bit.
“They settled in. I told them that they basically had to hit the ball to them, so they could play. They were trying to hit winners. They were nervous. They let the other team play a little bit, and it made a big difference.”
At first doubles, Cooper Hendrickson and Jack Gabardi beat Elliott Spahn and Owen Kastendick 6-2, 6-0; and at second doubles, Brady Fosso and Benny Galli needed three sets to beat Luke Wheelock and Ethan Gugisberg 6-0, 4-6, 6-2.
“Cooper and Jack, they’re overpowering a lot of first doubles teams,” Conda said. “Brady and Benny, I think this was the fourth-straight match where they’ve cruised in the first set, then lost the second.
“They have to keep that momentum going. They have to keep attacking and hitting the ball. We talk about it time and time again. I think it’s in their heads now that they want to play a third set. That’s what they were laughing about.”
Hibbing 6, Grand Rapids/Greenway 1
Singles: No. 1—Isaiah Hildenbrand, H, def. Ben Schroeder, 6-2, 6-2; No. 2—Tyler Fisher, H, def. Grady Giffen, 6-2, 6-3; No. 3—Jax Colter, GRG, def. Joey Gabardi, 6-2, 6-4; No. 4—Rex Walli, H, def. Reid Gagnon, 6-0, 6-0.
Doubles: No. 1—Cooper Hendrickson-Jack Gabardi, H, def. Elliott Spahn-Owen Kastendick, 6-2, 6-0; No. 2—Brady Fosso-Benny Galli, H, def. Luke Wheelock-Ethan Gugisberg, 6-0, 4-6, 6-2; No. 3—Ethan Johnson-Ryan Norenberg, H, def. Sam Johnson-Jack Sonder, 6-3, 6-1.
Baseball
Duluth Denfeld 4,
Hibbing 1
DULUTH—After winning game one of a doubleheader 12-4 over the Hunters, the Bluejackets could only muster three hits as Duluth Denfeld took the three-run victory in game two at Wade Stadium.
Harju started for the Hunters, allowing all three hits in 6.2 innings of work. He struck out six and walked four. Udd tossed .1 innings, walking one.
Ryder Petrie hurled six innings for the Bluejackets, allowing just seven hits. He struck out three and walked one.
Senich and Palmiotto both had two hits for Denfeld.
Petrie, Tait Swanson and Drew Forer had the Hibbing hits. Forer had a double and an RBI.
Cherry 5,
Silver Bay 4
SILVER BAY—The Tigers survived a Mariners rally in the seventh inning to come away with the victory on the road Wednesday.
Noah Sundquist started for Cherry, tossing two innings of one-hit ball. He struck out four and walked two. Isaac Asuma worked three innings, allowing three hits. He fanned five and walked one. Noah Asuma got the win, tossing two innings. He allowed two hits, struck out three and walked two.
Stadler worked six innings for Silver Bay. He gave up four hits and walked three. Carpenter tossed one inning, allowing two hits. He fanned one and walked two.
Noah Asuma had three hits, including a double and home run, with five RBI. Isaiah Asuma, Sundquist and Andrew Staples had the other hits.
Stadler and Williams both hit doubles for the Mariners.
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