NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee High School varsity girls tennis team improved to 9-0 in dual match play with a 5-3 victory over Marquette at the Miners’ tennis complex Monday.

NHS head coach Kyle Saari said the meet was a good tune-up for both sides as the season moves forward.

“Today was a competitive meet and it helps prepare both teams for what’s to come down the road,” he said. Maci (Aho) played very well (today) and Jill (Skewis) continues to do a really nice job at No. 3 singles.

“Each day is important to learn lessons and improve, and that has to keep happening as we move forward.”

MSHS head coach Derek Sandstrom said despite the team loss, there were points to take from the meet as leaders on the roster stepped into their roles.

“I was happy to see the top of the lineup play well,” he said. “The rest of the team seems to be following their lead and raising their level of play.

“We didn’t win as a team today, but I think we are fired up and looking forward to fine tuning our games in preparation for upcoming tournaments.”

The Miners took three out of four singles matches on the day with wins in the No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 slots.

The Redettes took No. 1 singles however with junior Elysabeth Olivier topping Negaunee senior Abby Nelson 6-3, 6-2. At No. 2, senior Maci Aho defeated Marquette’s Mollie Kilpela 6-2, 6-2 while No. 3 saw sophomore Jillian Skewis top MSHS sophomore Campbell Kallio 6-2, 6-1. In No. 4, Miners freshman Lilly Nelson defeated Redettes senior Natalie Robinia 6-3, 6-2.

In the doubles matchups, Marquette saw wins in the No. 1 and No. 4 doubles. In No. 1, the team of seniors Ashlee Tripp and Sydney Kivi defeated Miners seniors Mykenna Kontio and Julia Johnson 6-3, 6-3. At No. 4, the team of senior Kaeleigh Talbacka and junior Sydney McCarthy topped sophomore Lexi Mason and junior Shaylee Menhennick 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. The Miners’ doubles victories came in the middle slots with the team of seniors Lexi Taavola and Shelby Yesney topping Marquette senior Carly Sandstrom and junior Kennedy Tate 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (5). At No. 3, sophmore duo Morgan Carlon and Katelyn Lammi topped the team of sophomore Breanne Sandstrom and junior Ryleigh Jackson 6-2, 6-1.

Marquette travels to Escanaba today while the Miners travel to Menominee on Wednesday.

Westwood 7, Gladstone 1

At Westwood, the Patriots swept singles and took three out of four doubles matches Monday to improve to 9-3-1 in dual match play.

Patriots head coach Chris Jackson credited some of his players in the dominant victory.

“Madelyn (Koski) played her best match of the year today. She remained focused the whole match and her movement was excellent. Aubrie (Magnuson) and Haley (Mattila) are starting to play at a high level. They’re are only seniors and they want to finish the season strong.”

Koski toppled Gladstone’s Andie Balenger 6-0, 6-1 in No. 1 singles while Magnuson and Mattila defeated Marnea LaFave and Olivia Saari 6-4, 6-1 in No. 2 doubles.

In the rest of the singles matches, junior Tessa Leece beat Alaina Trudeau 6-1, 6-2 in No. 2, junior Kaylee Larmour topped Kylie Williams 6-0, 6-1 in No. 3 and freshman Jillian Koski defeated Abby Rouleau 6-3, 6-2.

Gladstone’s only match victory of the day came at No. 1 doubles with the team of Taylor Trudeau and Sydney Herioux topping junior Karlie Patron and sophomore Ellie Miller 6-3, 7-6 (2).

Along with the team of Magnuson and Mattila, the Patriots also earned doubles victories in the No. 3 and No. 4 slots. At No. 3, juniors Katelyn Anttila and Meghan Johnson defeated Emma DeLaire and Jacinda Lippens 6-0, 6-1 while No. 4 saw sophomores Jenna Wealton and Claire Gilles topped Emily Marenger and Kate Matthews 7-5, 6-2.

Westwood travels to Kingsford today.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Spitza. Email him at sports@miningjournal.net.