CEC tennis team splits, improves to 4-1 for season

The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys tennis team suffered its first dual meet loss of the season against Aitkin last week but bounced back Tuesday to improve to 4-1.

On April 16, the ‘Jacks fell 5-2 to a good Aitkin team. All four of the Gobblers’ singles players won their matches, with Cloquet’s wins coming at first and second doubles.

Freshman Sean Kedrowski and senior Zach Zezulka extended their matches to three sets at first and second singles, respectively.

The No. 1 doubles team of seniors Jake Sorensen and Chase Pritchett breezed to a 6-2, 6-1 win against Kevin Hughes and Zach Reeves, and the second doubles team of senior Jon Hammitt and junior Ryan Kedrowski defeated Tyler Michaels and Lyle Nyberg in straight sets as well.

Four days later, the ‘Jacks dismissed Denfeld 6-1 in Duluth.

Senior Dylan Burslie won 6-3, 6-1 against Denfeld’s Chad Bolen at No. 1 singles, and Zezulka needed three sets, including a 9-7 third, to defeat Kyle Stupca in an epic match at No. 3.

Freshman Luke Heine won at No. 4 singles as well, not losing a game in defeating Joey Erickson 6-0, 6-0.

The ‘Jacks followed up their success in singles by sweeping the doubles matches as well.

Sorenson and Pritchett defeated Tyler Morrison and Brendan Johnson 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles, while Ryan Kedrowski and Hammitt also won in straight sets at second doubles.

The third team of senior Isaak Waldorf and sophomore Zach Peterson was a 6-3, 6-3 winner against Matt Skorich and Tanner Jadzewski to round out the day.

The team’s next dual meet is next Thursday at Superior.

Tags: sports, tennis, cloquet, esko, carlton