MARQUETTE — Negaunee likely stamped itself as the high school girls tennis team to beat when the Upper Peninsula Finals are held right around the end of this month with a resounding 7-1 victory at Marquette on Friday afternoon.

In other scores, Westwood shut out Munising 8-0 on Friday, while Menominee took out Marquette 7-1 on Thursday.

———————

Negaunee 7, Marquette 1

“It was a rough day; Negaunee really took it to us,” MSHS head coach Derek Sandstrom said.

The Miners, who improved to 10-0, were only extended to three sets in one of their victory, a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 win by Shayla Williams and Tianna Williams at No. 2 doubles over Marquette’s Alyson LaBelle and Hannah Young.

Marquette also needed three sets to capture its only flight, a 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 win by Nistha Gautam and Sam Heikkila at No. 4 doubles over Negaunee’s Faith Mager and Daylyn Drew.

“I was pleased by the play of some of the doubles teams,” Sandstrom said. “Even in a loss, I thought Alyson and Hannah played very well.

“I was also impressed by Nistha and Sam at (No.) 4 (doubles). They kept the pressure on and earned a win the rest of the team needed.”

Miners coach Kyle Saari pointed to several of his players who won — No. 4 singles player Annika Tervo, No. 1 singles player Lilly Nelson and the No. 3 doubles tandem of Emma Miller and Madi Austin.

“Annika played really steady and did a nice job moving the ball around,” Saari said. “Emma and Madi played their best match of the year up to this point, too.

“Lilly is getting stronger and you can tell confidence is growing with each match she plays.”

———————

Westwood 8, Munising 0

At the Patriots courts, Westwood won every set and dropped just 17 games over the meet’s eight flights.

“The girls had some great matches today and were excited to play since their meet earlier in the week was rained out,” WHS head coach Sarah Massie said. “We’re ready for a busy week of matches next week.”

The closest match came at No. 3 singles, where the Pats’ Natalie Blanck held off Munising’s Jenna Matson 6-4, 6-3. No. 1 singles player Jenna Wealton and No. 4 doubles duo of Laci Moffatt and Kalle Keranen each posted 6-0, 6-0 blankings.

———————

Menominee 7, Marquette 1

Thursday’s meet was closer than the final score would indicate, as four flights needed a third set, with a fifth match including a 7-5 score, all Menominee wins.

“The final score not an accurate indicator of the tennis,” Sandstrom said. “We’ll need to work on our focus in third sets.”

“We had several matches within our grasp, but let them slip away. We’ll be better for the experience.”

Marquette’s win was posted by Julianna Golisek at No. 4 singles, a 6-3, 6-0 victory over the Maroons’ Bella LaVia.

Among those falling in three sets were No. 2 singles player Haddie Ketzenberger and No. 3 singles player Ruth Hummell, along with No. 1 doubles pair of Zoey Brian and Bre Sandstrom and No. 3 doubles tandem of Eliina Brazeau and Kaia Miller.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.