NEGAUNEE — With a number of new varsity players this season and no chance to hit a ball outdoors yet with a slow spring melt, Negaunee High School boys tennis coach Kyle Saari had reason for a bit of trepidation on Monday.

But it was all for naught as the Miners went to Delta County and chalked up a pair of 7-1 season-opening victories over Gladstone and Escanaba.

“Every single year we’re anxious and motivated to get on the courts, but none so more than this year,” Saari said in comments emailed along with details of the matches. “None of our team has hit a ball outside before (Monday), so we entered with a lot of unknowns, even despite being able to practice in the (Negaunee indoor) facility.

“We responded real well and accomplished a lot of what we set out to do for Day 1. Always plenty to work on, but a promising start.”

He was particularly pleased with the starts by new players Axl Sarasin, Conner Steede, Trent Emard, Wyatt Nelson and Brandon Alba.

“Axl, Conner, Trent, Wyatt and Brandon all picked up their first varsity wins, and we can’t wait to watch them grow over the next month,” Saari said. “In particular, Conner and Trent have worked so hard to get to this level, and it’s awesome to see them go out, have fun and get rewarded.”

He also lauded the double victories posted by his new top singles players Easton Guenette at No. 1 and Nolan O’Dovero at No. 2.

“Easton and Nolan understand they need to carry us day in and day out,” their coach said. “They bumped into our singles lineup after playing (No.) 1 doubles, and they both are comfortable doing so.”

That pair won in straight sets in each of their matches, while No. 3 singles player Max Larson needed a third set to get his second victory of the day at Esky.

In doubles, Vince Tincknell and Marshall Knapp lost a total of just three games in two matches at No. 2, while Emard and Steede were almost as dominant at No. 3, along with Nelson and Alba at No. 4.

After having a home match vs. Ishpeming canceled on Tuesday and a scheduled one set for Kingsford on Wednesday, the Miners return to the courts for three home matches in two days to start next week — a match hosting Gwinn at 4 p.m. Tuesday, then a 2 p.m. match vs. Ishpeming and 4 p.m. match vs. Munising on Wednesday.

Negaunee finishes next week with a match at Westwood at 4 p.m. next Thursday.

Negaunee 7, Gladstone 1

Monday at Gladstone

SINGLES — No. 1, Easton Guenette (N) def. James Blair 6-0, 6-2; No. 2, Nolan O’Dovero (N) def. Brant Veeser 6-4, 6-2; No. 3, Max Larson (N) def. Chase Ketcham 6-1, 6-1; No. 4, Axl Sarasin (N) def. Henry Trottier 6-0, 6-1

DOUBLES — No. 1, Matt Hagebusch-Tegan Reynolds (G) def. Quinn Walters-Carson Lajimodiere 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (9-7); No. 2, Vince Tincknell-Marshall Knapp (N) def. Alex Beauchamp-Nick Thill 6-1, 6-1; No. 3, Trent Emard-Conner Steede (N) def. Eric Anderson-Kristoff Stahlman 6-0, 6-2; No. 4, Wyatt Nelson-Brandon Allen (N) def. Sawyer Poter-Carter Weizer 6-1, 6-0

Negaunee 7, Escanaba 1

Monday at Escanaba

SINGLES — No. 1, Easton Guenette (N) def. Chase Korpi 6-2, 6-4; No. 2, Nolan O’Dovero (N) def. Chris Economopoulos 6-1, 7-5; No. 3, Max Larson (N) def. Brett Swanson 3-6, 6-2, 6-4; No. 4, Kyle Smith (E) def. Axl Sarasin 6-1, 6-1

DOUBLES — No. 1, Quinn Walters-Carson Lajimodiere (N) def. Jacob Prey-Logan Stephens 6-3, 7-5; No. 2, Vince Tincknell-Marshall Knapp (N) def. Taylor Asgaard-Dominic Parlatz 6-0, 6-1; No. 3, Trent Emard-Conner Steede (N) def. Ben Klenow-William Derkos 6-2, 6-1; No. 4, Wyatt Nelson-Brandon Allen (N) def. Camden White-Brady McIntyre 6-3, 6-1

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