The Negaunee High School tennis time poses for his photo after winning its own Negaunee Invitational title indoors at the Negaunee Athletic Facility tennis courts on Friday. (Photo courtesy Kyle Saari)

NEGAUNEE — It was a day of tennis unlike any other day, according to Negaunee High School head coach Kyle Saari.

That was because the annual Negaunee Invitational went to a place probably no high school tennis meet in this neck of the woods has ever been to before — indoors.

Rain late in the event on Friday sent tennis players, coaches and fans scampering for cover at the relatively new Negaunee Athletic Facility that includes tennis courts.

“(Friday) was a first for any tennis tournament in Marquette County history because we finished inside,” Saari said in an email detailing the result. “Rain came with three matches to play, which allowed (No.) 2 singles, (No.) 4 singles and (No.) 4 doubles to play a memorable final.

“It was college-like with a lot of noise and a great memory for these kids.”

Oh, and by the way, the Miners won their fourth consecutive championship in this event, squeaking out a 34-32 decision over Kingsford. Marquette was third with 19 points, followed by Escanaba with 14, Westwood 13 and West Iron County 8.

With the winning team at each flight receiving five points, second place four and so on down the line, Negaunee won four flights — Nos. 3 and 4 singles and Nos. 1 and 2 doubles — while adding three runner-up finishes at Nos. 1 and 2 singles and No. 4 doubles, then adding a fourth place at No. 3 doubles.

Kingsford, meanwhile, won three flights — Nos. 1 and 2 singles and No. 4 doubles — with three runners-up, a third and a fourth.

Though Marquette didn’t win a flight, the Sentinels were second once and third three times. Westwood did win at No. 3 doubles.

“We’re really proud of the all-around effort (Friday),” Saari said. “Winning is learned, and we’re still in the midst of that with this group, and it’s what makes each journey so fun at this level.”

He was particularly proud of his No. 4 singles player Max Larson, No. 1 singles player Brady Johnson and the No. 2 doubles tandem of Carson Lajimodiere and Quinn Walters.

“Max Larson played beyond his years … and it’s impossible to tell if he’s up or down when watching him play,” Saari said.

“Despite (his) result, Brady played his best match so far in his final. He figured out a few things that allow him to be successful, and he can build on it later.

“Carson and Quinn did an outstanding job finishing…. That part of their game has held up well.”

Negaunee’s winners were Kolten Store at No. 3 singles, Larson at No. 4 singles, Easton Guenette and Nolan O’Dovero at No. 1 doubles and Lajimodiere and Walters at No. 2 doubles.

Westwood won at No. 3 doubles with Tristan Miller and Damian Grondz, while Kingsford’s victories came at No. 1 singles with Gavin Moore, No. 2 singles with Landon Adam and the No. 4 doubles duo of Clark Robb and Andy Yu.

Two meets feature area teams that played at the Negaunee Invite — the Miners host Marquette, while Westwood hosts Ishpeming, both at 4 p.m.

Box score:

Negaunee Invitational

Friday at Negaunee

Team scores — 1. Negaunee 34, 2. Kingsford 32, 3. Marquette 19, 4. Escanaba 14, 5. Westwood 13, 6. West Iron County 8

Championship matches

SINGLES — No. 1, Gavin Moore (K) def. Brady Johnson (N) 6-0, 3-6, 6-4; No. 2, Landon Adam (K) def. Ethan Harris (N) 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-5; No. 3, Kolten Store (N) def. Evan Grymes (K) 7-5, 6-0; No. 4, Max Larson (N) def. Fletcher Hulkkonen (K) 7-6 (7-5), 0-6, 6-4

DOUBLES — No. 1, Easton Guenette-Nolan O’Dovero (N) def. isaac Lebouef-Jacob Crockford (K) 7-5, 6-4; No. 2, Carson Lajimodiere-Quinn Walters (N) def. Adam Prey-Caden Fulsher (E) 7-5, 6-4; No. 3, Tristan Miller-Damian Grondz (WWD) def. Cam Mileski-Billy Krebs (M) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4; No. 4, Clark Robb-Andy Yu (K) def. Jhon Jarvi-Marshall Knapp (N) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

Story contents based on an email received from Negaunee High School head coach Kyle Saari. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.