Hilltoppers serve up another trip to semifinals

MADISON – It came as no surprise that Marquette was the only team out of four Milwaukee-area programs that made it through quarterfinals of the WIAA Division 1 boys state team tournament.

But there still were a handful of solid efforts sprinkled throughout the tournament Friday at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.

The Hilltoppers (25-2) swept all seven flights of its win against Homestead.

Marquette, the defending team champ and winner of nine of the last 10 titles, plays Madison West (17-7) in the semifinals on Saturday morning.

Neenah beat Arrowhead, 6-1, in another quarterfinal and faces Eau Claire Memorial (20-3) in the other semi.

The Hilltoppers beat Neenah, 6-1, for the 2016 state team title.

A highlight match for Kettle Moraine occurred at No. 3 doubles, even in defeat. Madison West sophomore Felix Bellin and freshman Matthew Ruggiero won their hard flight with Lasers juniors Caleb Freiburger and Jake Ziegler, 7-5, 6-3.

Freiburbger and Ziegler pushed to a 3-0 lead in the first set but faded when they couldn't handle the Regents' tough overhead shots.

“We've never been in this type atmosphere before,” Freiburger said. “Obviously, we hated losing, but it was a great experience.”

The Homestead No. 2 doubles team of Robby Baranko and Eric Simonsen took Marquette's Caleb Schifano and Noah Guillermo to three sets before falling, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Baranko, a junior, said spending back-to-back weekends at individual state and team state was a terrific experience. Baranko and Simonsen, a senior, advanced to the individual quarterfinals.

“We came out really strong and were playing some of our best tennis,” Baranko said. “We let up a little bit and they started hitting more shots. I think we could have made it a little bit closer, but it was fun.”

The Highlanders, who finished the season with a 19-8 record, were making their first trip to team state since 2012. Homestead, which lost to Marquette during the regular season, posted runner-up performances at team state from 2010 to 2012.

Homestead coach Jackie Mueller Egelhoff said she was particularly proud of the Highlanders. She has coached the boys program for 35 years, two fewer than the girls program.

“Of all the years I've coached, this group stands out with their work ethic in practices,” Mueller Egelhoff said. “They go out there and aren't concerned about time. They really enjoy it.

“This is an added thrill and reward to them for all that work that they did.”

Meanwhile, Arrowhead senior Lucas Ebel took Neenah junior Evan Kubiak to three sets, and Kubiak prevailed in a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win.

In the final match on the Nielsen courts, Neenah senior Jackson Alassi outlasted Arrowhead junior Brendan Pietlia, 6-1, 5-7 (10-3).

“We kept saying 'enjoy the ride' while we're here, but while we're here expect to do well,” Arrowhead coach Jeremy Schlitt said. “Guys came out tonight and they were competing.”