By Journal Sports Staff

MARQUETTE — Marquette carried the No. 1 flights but Negaunee showed off its depth as the Miners won their closest girls high school tennis match of the fall so far, 5-3, on Monday afternoon.

Negaunee (8-0) won all of the Nos. 3 and 4 flights and also at No. 2 doubles, where Skylar Taavola and Lexi Taavola prevailed 6-3, 6-4 over Marquette’s Rachel Ely and Carly Sandstrom.

Negaunee coach Kyle Saari pointed out a victory posted by No. 4 singles player Maci Aho, a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) winner over Molly Kilpela, and even a loss by his No. 2 singles player Jenna Sager, who fell 6-2, 6-4 to Marquette’s Elysa Olivier.

“Our ‘depth flights’ played really well and Maci used her athleticism to hold onto her second set.

“Jenna hit the ball well and is beginning to execute more of what she wants to do. It’s been fun to see her game grow.”

For MSHS coach Derek Sandstrom, it was a bit frustrating to see his team come so close but fall short.

“We put up a better fight, but it wasn’t enough,” he said.

He pointed to No. 1 singles player Hannah Swajanen winning a tough 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-2 match vs. Megan Syrjala, along with the Redettes No. 1 doubles team of Ashlee Tripp and Rachael Hunt taking a 6-0, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Mykenna Kontio and Abby Nelson.

“Hannah at No. 1 singles and Ashlee and Rachael at (No. 1 doubles) played well, showing poise in the later stages of their matches. Elysa was also tested but prevailed.”

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Westwood 6, Gladstone 2

At Gladstone, the Patriots also used their depth, sweeping all the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 flights even though they lost at the No. 1s.

That included the No. 2 doubles tandem of Tess Perrow and Aubrie Magnuson pulling out a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory, the lone winning flight that went three sets.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee with contributions from the Escanaba Daily Press. Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.