NEGAUNEE — Right before Negaunee lost a close 5-3 encounter to Westwood at its home courts on Wednesday afternoon, the Miners warmed up with a season-opening 8-0 whitewash of West Iron County, also at home, in the debut of new NHS head coach Megan Kerkela.

Against WIC, Negaunee not only swept the matches, but never lost a set in doing so, losing a total of just 29 games over the eight matches.

The Wykons made their best battle at No. 2 doubles, where the Miners’ Olivia Richards and Sadie Rogers upended WIC’s Olivia LaMay and Julie White 6-3, 6-4.

While none of the matches was a total 6-0, 6-0 shutout, two came awfully close, Negaunee No. 2 singles player Rheana Nelson winning 6-0, 6-1 and its No. 3 doubles tandem of Rebecca Lammi and Tori Poutanen taking a 6-1, 6-0 triumph.

The Miners have a two-meet road trip scheduled for today, both meets at Gladstone as Negaunee takes on the host Braves at 11 a.m. before facing Menominee at 1 p.m.

The Miners’ next scheduled match after that is home against Ishpeming at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Negaunee 8, W. Iron Cty. 0

Wednesday at Negaunee

SINGLES — No. 1, Lili Saunders (N) def. Grace Smith 6-0, 6-2; No. 2, Rheana Nelson (N) def. Kaycee Ingram 6-0, 6-1; No. 3, Stella Lenten (N) def. Erin Kolbas 6-4, 6-1; No. 4, Addi Chapman (N) def. Taylor Economy 6-1, 6-2.

DOUBLES — No. 1, Nicole Kerkela-Clare O’Donnell (N) def. Aubrey Richardson-Destiny Lemery 6-1, 6-4; No. 2, Olivia Richards-Sadie Rogers (N) def. Olivia LaMay-Julie White 6-3, 6-4; No. 3, Rebecca Lammi-Tori Poutanen (N) def. Marlee Benson-Vivian Holm 6-1, 6-0; No. 4, Maia Brunette-Aubrey Harper (N) def. Maddy Cronkright-Rochelle Bear 6-2, 6-3.

Story contents based on email received from Negaunee head coach Megan Kerkela. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.