ISHPEMING — The Negaunee High School boys varsity tennis team improved to 5-0 on the season after defeating Westwood 7-1 at the Patriots’ courts on Monday.

It wasn’t an easy win by any means for the Miners, with three of the eight matches going three sets.

Each of those matches went in favor of Negaunee, however, starting at No. 3 singles with Peyton Anderson defeating Chad Pohlman 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

No. 4 singles also went the distance, with Jordan Mason topping Matt Paavo 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

The remaining three-setter came at No. 2 doubles, with Jake Larson and Erik Salminen defeating Connor Traver and Nathan Ostlund 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.

Negaunee head coach Kyle Saari was particularly happy with those three-setters turning into wins.

“We responded really well in pressure situations,” he said. “In the three matches that went three sets, those flights buckled down and did what they needed to do.”

Saari also credited his No. 2 singles player Will Luke, who defeated Anthony Couveau 6-2, 6-2.

“Will has been real steady to start the year,” he said. “Jake (Larson) and Erik (Salminen) have been the same way.”

Westwood’s only victory came at No. 1 singles, with Adam Hyttinen prevailing over Chas Kumpula 7-5, 6-4 as the Patriots (3-1) were handed their first loss of the season.

“Despite the score, we had some good results against a quality opponent,” Westwood head coach Chris Jackson said. “Adam played his best match of the season. He was able to control the play and had good shot selection.

“Chad also played great (today) despite losing in three sets. When he is in rhythm, he is very effective.”

The Miners continue a four-day stretch of meets hosting Gladstone today at 4 p.m., visting Marquette at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and hosting Escanaba at 4 p.m. Thursday.

“This is an important week in terms of continuing to improve,” Saari said.

The Patriots have two more matches this week, hosting Iron Mountain at 4 p.m. today before traveling to Gwinn on Wednesday at the same time.

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Marquette 7, Kingsford 1

At Marquette, the Redmen improved to 2-0 on the year in dominating fashion, with the only loss coming at No. 1 doubles. The Kingsford tandem of Tyler Beauchamp and Reece Fortner defeated Marquette’s Trevor Lewis and Connor Johnson 6-1, 6-1.

It was all Marquette the rest of the way, sweeping the singles flights and the remaining three doubles matches.

At No. 1 singles, senior standout and Ferris State commit Alec Olivier topped the Flivvers’ Brett Hicks 6-0, 6-0 to remain undefeated in his high school career.

His younger brother Nick, a freshman, defeated Jack Perpich in the No. 2 slot 6-2, 6-0. Kevin Zhang prevailed over Caleb Boone 6-4, 6-0 at No. 3 while Ben Sternschuss topped Pablo Cano in three sets at No. 4, winning 6-4, 7-6, 7-5.

In doubles, it was Marquette’s Luke Ferzacca and Soren Higgins defeating Tyler Kopp and Dan Hellman 6-2, 6-3 in the No. 2 flight.

Beau Belkowski and Jack Franchino defeated Matt Moreau and Marcus Michaud 7-5, 6-2 at No. 3, while the team of Robert Apple and Casey Yeadon topped Cole Bracket and Michael Meneguzzo 7-5, 6-0 at No. 4.

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