MARQUETTE — If this is what the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals in high school boys tennis will look like this week, then the courts at Westwood High School should be sizzling by Wednesday afternoon.

That’s because two of the top U.P. Division 1 teams, Negaunee and Marquette, battled to a 4-4 tie in their final dual meet of the season at the Sentinels’ courts on Thursday afternoon.

Not only did these schools split their eight matches, but three of them went to the limit, going all three sets, with two needing a seventh-game win to decide the final set.

“(This) was a U.P. Finals environment with a ton of ups and downs,” Miners veteran head coach Kyle Saari said in his emailed comments about the meet after Negaunee finished its dual meet season undefeated at 11-0-3. “We understand we need to be as steady as we can during those changes in rhythm.

“We started strong early in first sets, and our grip loosened on a few. We were down 4-1 (in the team score) and needed the last three sets.

“We wanted to finish the dual meet season strong, and we did that…. This group has stepped up so far and have raised the bar for themselves. We’re looking forward to Wednesday.”

Marquette head man Karl Thomsen had similar sentiments.

“I was super proud of how our team played,” Thomsen said in his comments included in emailed details of the results. “I feel like we’ve been a little complacent lately and (Thursday) they battled their butts off and they had to.

“The atmosphere was great … and is just a taste of what is to come … Wednesday at the U.P. Finals. I truly believe next Wednesday is anybody’s tournament.”

This outcome could’ve been a lot worse for visiting Negaunee, but the Miners pulled out victories in all three matches that went to a third set, including at No. 1 singles, where Easton Guenette outlasted Marquette’s Lucas Belkowski, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5, and at No. 3 singles, where the Miners’ Max Larson got past the Sentinels’ Caden Laurn, 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 7-5.

And at No. 3 doubles, Negaunee’s Connor Steele and Trent Emard fended off Marquette’s Elan Chu and Kane Bush, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-1.

In addition, at No. 2 singles, the Miners’ Nolan O’Dovero needed a tiebreaker before he clinched a 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) win over the Sentinels’ Brady Janofski.

“(On Wednesday,) we told everyone they must follow Easton’s and Nolan’s lead,” Saari said. “And they lead. They pulled out their matches, along with (No.) 3 doubles.

“Max Larson was left (as the last match playing), and he had one of those moments that make you grow up real quick. It was up to him to preserve a tie, and he was so gritty to pull ahead in the third set with all eyes on his court.

“He’s bought into what it takes to be successful at (No.) 3, and his mindset reflects everything we preach. Incredibly happy for him and the work he’s put in.”

For his part, Thomsen was particularly pleased with his top two doubles flights that both won. No. 1 Winston Leonard and Conner Henry also won a tiebreaker in their clinching set, winning 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) over Negaunee’s Quinn Walters and Carson Lajimodiere, while Marquette’s No. 2 doubles tandem of Bode Helman and Connor Dunn worked their way to a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Miners’ Vince Tincknell and Marshall Knapp.

“Winston Leonard and Conner Henry responded to the challenge I laid our there,” Thomsen said. “They played a really good Negaunee team, held their ground and played crucial in crunch time. 

“Bode Helman and Connor Dunn also faced some adversity … and did a good job of staying positive.”

Other winners at the meet were Marquette’s Dominic Camilli at No. 4 singles and the Sentinels’ Billy Krebs and Jack Tiziani at No. 4 doubles.

Division 1 teams — which also include Westwood, Escanaba, Gladstone and Kingsford — will converge at the Patriots’ courts in Ishpeming for the U.P. Finals at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The Division 2 finals will be held simultaneously at Kingsford and include Ishpeming, Gwinn, Munising, Iron Mountain, Menominee and West Iron County. 

Negaunee 4, Marquette 4

Thursday at Marquette

SINGLES — No. 1, Easton Guenette (N) def. Lucas Belkowski 1-6, 6-4, 7-5; No. 2, Nolan O’Dovero (N) def. Brady Janofski 6-2, 7-6 (7-5); No. 3, Max Larson (N) def. Caden Laurn 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 7-5; No. 4, Dominic Camilli (M) def.  Axl Sarasin 6-3, 6-1

DOUBLES — No. 1, Winston Leonard-Conner Henry (M) def. Quinn Walters-Carson Lajimodiere 7-5, 7-6 (8-6); No. 2, Bode Helman-Connor Dunn (M) def. Vince Tinknell-Marshall Knapp 6-4, 6-4; No. 3, Connor Steele-Trent Emard (N) def. Elan Chu-Kane Bush (M) 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-1; No. 4, Billy Krebs-Jack Tiziani (M) def. Wyatt Nelson-Brandon Alba 6-3, 6-2

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