Escanaba junior Connor Howes delivers a serve against Gladstone on May 8, 2024 at Abrahamson Courts in Escanaba. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Experience would define Escanaba boys tennis this season as the Eskymos bring 11 seniors in 2025.

“I’m excited for what these kids can do this season,” Eskymos coach Tom Penegor said. “I have watched these kids grow from their first day on the team. This is their last year and I hope that can motivate them to do well.”

Among the returning seniors is Connor Howes, who competed at No. 1 singles last season and was involved in many close matches, some of which he won and some of which he lost. Howes has a good serve and has great vision of the ball and speed to keep plays alive.

“I’m super excited to get the season started,” Howes said. I have been waiting since the end of last season and learned a lot jumping from No. 4 doubles to No. 1 singles.”

Penegor shares Howes’ excitement.

“I hope the hard work he put in last season will give him a boost of confidence this season,” Penegor said. “He played every team’s best player last season and he played well in all those matchups, even the ones he didn’t win.”

Reid Brazeau returns after competing at No. 3 singles last season. Brazeau is a tall, athletic player that has the speed to get to any spot on the court. He also has great skills at the net as well as a good forehand swing and above average serving skill.

Seniors Brandon Gardner and Nick Garcia held down the court at No. 4 doubles last season. Gardner has great skills at the net, while Garcia plays well on the court.

“They both play well and complement each other,” Penegor said. “In doubles action you don’t necessarily put the two best players there, you put two players that work well together in that role because one player’s strengths complement other players weaknesses and together you get a great pair.”

Loic Fletcher returns after holding down the No. 4 singles role and spending some time at No. 2 doubles last season. Fletcher is a strong player who plays the baselines well and has nice ground strokes. Fletcher also has a great work ethic and puts in a lot of time to improve his game.

Nick Chaillier and Andrew Lord had a good season last year at No. 1 doubles and were involved in some very close matches. Both are very athletic. Lord has an above average serve and Chaillier good court coverage.

“I look forward to the competition to see where we will all be playing,” Lord said. There are a lot of players out so you have to work hard and put in time to get a spot.”

Lord and Chaillier are very good at the physical side of the game, but Penegor stated that the mental game is an area they could improve.

“We all can improve in areas of our game,” Penegor said. They have come a long way since they were freshmen and if they continue to grow in that area they will succeed.”

Caden Fulsher competed at No. 3 doubles last year with Adam Prey and David Romps. Fulsher has a nice serve to go with his athleticism and his knowledge of the game. Prey has good vision of the court and has improved his volleys over the past couple years.

“We still need to improve our volleys as a team,” Penegor said. If we do it will make it tougher for our opponents and will put us in a good position.”

Alex Morgan is another senior that looks to impress this season. Morgan has a good serve and is fast and athletic.

The Eskymos will also have Alan Adams on the staff as an assistant to Penegor. The Eskymos also have seniors, Aiden Ault and Nikolay Olsen, a foreign exchange student from Norway. Juniors, Dominic Parlato, Breedon Ausborn and Andrej Jankura a foreign exchange student from Slovakia. Sophomores include Logan Stephens, Chris Economopo, Ben Klenow, Jacob Prey, Aidan Cappeart, Nicholas Pepin and Riley Madilinski. The Eskymos also have a pair of freshmen in Mason Couch and Brady McIntyre.

The Eskymos boys tennis team hopes to see the community continue to grow for this sport.

“We want to see the community come out and support the team and these kids,” Penegor said. “We are a self funded sport and it is great to see the community out supporting what we do.”

The Eskymos first match is scheduled for April 21 as they host Negaunee.

Escanaba Boys Tennis Schedule

April 21 vs Negaunee 4:00pm

April 22 vs West Iron County 4:30pm

April 25 vs Westwood 1:00pm

April 28 vs Kingsford 4:00pm

April 29 vs Gladstone 4:00pm

April 30 at Marquette 2:30pm

May 2 Escanaba Triangular

May 7 at Gladstone 4:00pm

May 8 at Westwood & Negaunee 1:00pm/4:00pm

May 10 at Kingsford Tournament

May 12 vs Marquette 4:00pm

May 13 at Kingsford 4:00pm

May 16 at Negaunee Tournament