HHS netters ground Hawks

HIBBING—The Hibbing High School boys tennis team rebounded from a loss to Duluth East, sweeping three doubles matches en route to a 6-1 victory over Hermantown Thursday at the Lincoln Elementary School Tennis Courts,.

The Bluejackets dominated the doubles play as Cooper Hendrickson and Jack Gabardi beat Brody Matthews and Preston McClimek 6-1, 6-1; Joey Gabardi and Tyler Fisher beat Evan Flynn and Keaton Rother 6-3, 6-3; and Brady Fosso and Benny Galli beat Thor Richard and Zach Shingler 6-1, 6-1.

“They were doing a little bit of everything,” Hibbing coach Gary Conda said. “They were serving, volleying and putting overheads away. I was impressed with all three doubles teams.

“They were hitting a few lob returns. They were mixing it up today. It was fun to watch.”

Conda said those teams are starting to get continuity in their games.

“They’re starting to get used to their partners,” Conda said. “They’re starting to have fun with it. When they go to the net, their volleys are getting better because they’re coming forward so much. Their volleys are improving every time they have to hit them.

“They’re starting to put them away. Before, they were tentative with those volleys. Now, they’re putting a little sting into it.”

In singles, Isaiah Hildenbrand beat Ben Kangas 6-1, 6-2; Whitaker Rewertz beat Gabe Swanson 6-4, 6-4; and Rex Walli beat Brendan Bugliosi 6-1, 6-1.

The Hawks lone win came from Ford Skytta, who beat Keaton Petrick 6-4, 0-6, 10-6 in a super tiebreaker.

“Isaiah played the best tennis he’s played this year,” Conda said. “He’s starting to come around. It was a good day.”

Hibbing 6, Hermantown 1

Singles: No. 1—Isaiah Hildenbrand, H, def. Ben Kangas, 6-1, 6-2; No. 2—Ford Skytta Herm, def. Keaton Petrick, 6-4, 0-6, 10-6; No. 3—Whitaker Rewertz, H, def. Gabe Swanson, 6-4, 6-4; No. 4—Rex Walli, H, def. Brendan Bugliosi, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: No. 1—Cooper Hendrickson-Jack Gabardi, H, Brody Matthews-Preston McClimek, 6-1, 6-0; No. 2—Joey Gabardi-Tyler Fisher, H, def. Evan Flynn-Keaton Rother, 6-3, 6-3; No. 3—Brady Fosso-Benny Galli, H, def. Thor Rickard-Zach Shingler, 6-1, 6-1.