First off, the Miners — the three-time defending Division 1 champions in the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals — have just kept winning since dropping a narrow 5-3 decision to the Patriots, and now they’ve put an emphatic stamp on that quick turnaround with a decisive victory at the Westwood Invitational held at the WHS courts on Thursday.

Playing in a round-robin format where every player plays a match against the other three schools in their flight, Negaunee scored 31 of a possible 32 points by winning 23 of 24 matches to easily walk off with the title.

The host Patriots were runners-up with 22 points, Marquette third with 17 and Menominee fourth with 10.

It was the Sentinels, however, who handed the Miners their only loss — a close 7-5, 6-4 victory by MSHS’ Grace Jandreau and Brynn Helman over Negaunee’s Paige O’Donnell and Jillian Symons at No. 4 doubles.

Everything else was perfect for the Miners.

“We have been striving to build on each win and (Thursday) truly showcased how hard the girls have been working,” NHS head coach Megan Kerkela said in an email about the meet. “No. 2 singles, Rheana Nelson, played exceptionally well, only dropping five games total.

“She has been consistent for us all year with her ability to control every match she has played.”

Nelson posted a 6-3, 6-1 win over Lyn Magnuson of Westwood, a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Nora Skytta of Marquette and a 6-0, 6-0 triumph over Delaney Wagner of Menominee.

Even the Miners’ pair who lost a match, the No. 4 doubles tandem of O’Donnell and Symons, were dominant in their other two matches, a 6-2, 6-3 win over Emerson Williams and Lauren Michaud-Richards of Westwood, and a 6-0, 6-0 whitewash of Ella Chouinard and Asya Myland of Menominee.

In fact, a look at the match scores showed Negaunee didn’t lose a single set in its 31 victories — each was a two-set sweep.

Their closest call came at No. 2 doubles, where Olivia Richards and Sadie Rogers survived a first-set tiebreaker to win 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 over Marquette’s Logan McFarren and Kylie Smith.

Westwood was runner-up in six of the eight flights, only losing a match to Negaunee at each and also a match to Marquette at No. 3 singles and No. 4 doubles.

Negaunee’s champions in singles were Lili Saunders at No. 1, Rheana Nelson at No. 2, Stella Lenten at No. 3 and Addi Chapman at No. 4.

In doubles, the Miners’ champs were Nicole Kerkela and Clare O’Donnell at No. 1, Richards and Rogers at No. 2, and Rebecca Lammi and Tori Poutanen at No. 3.

This week’s compressed schedule includes seven matches from Tuesday through Thursday, all starting at 3:30 or 4 p.m.

Today, Ishpeming hosts Munising, Westwood hosts Negaunee and Marquette entertains West Iron County; while on Thursday, Marquette plays at Negaunee as Gwinn travels to Iron Mountain.

For most teams, this is almost the midpoint of the season with the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 1, for both Divisions 1 and 2.

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