MARQUETTE — Negaunee and Marquette posted a pair of 7-1 high school tennis meet victories on their home courts on Thursday afternoon.

Each victorious team swept all four doubles matches while taking three of four singles encounters.

The Sentinels are back in action at 3:30 p.m. Monday at home vs. Escanaba before traveling to Westwood at 4 p.m. Thursday and playing in the Negaunee Invitational on Friday morning.

The Miners were scheduled to take part in the Kingsford Invite on Friday, then have a busy schedule next week before hosting their own invite on Friday.

Negaunee hosts Westwood at 4 p.m. Monday, then travels to West Iron County at 3:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday before playing at home vs. Kingsford at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Here are details from Thursday’s meets:

Negaunee 7, Escanaba 1

At the Negaunee courts, NHS head coach Kyle Saari was happy with his team’s play in their second go-round with the Eskymos this spring.

He pointed out Miners’ No. 4 singles player Axl Sarasin, who lost 6-4, 4-6, 10-4 to Esky’s Kyle Smith, who is still showing vast improvement.

“When you begin playing teams a second time you look for areas of growth,” Saari said in an email detailing the meet. “We always say you can be young and inexperienced for the first two weeks, but after that you have to grow up fast.

“Axl’s a great example of that. In the first match of the year, he only won a single game against that opponent. Now, within three weeks he pushed his match to a third set and has put himself in a nice position moving forward.

“He’s going to continue that trend and take another leap within the next stretch of two weeks.”

He also pointed out the play of No. 2 singles player Nolan O’Dovero, who posted a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over the Eskymos’ Brett Swanson.

“Very proud of Nolan today, too,” his coach said. “He wasn’t happy with how he played (Wednesday vs. Marquette), and it kind of carried early into today.

“However, he simplified his game and was able to rediscover his rhythm. His final two sets today gave glimpses of what he can be at his best.”

All of the Miners’ other victories came in straight sets, including No. 1 singles player Easton Guenette taking a 6-3, 6-1 win over EHS’ Chase Korpi, and the No. 2 doubles tandem of Carson Lajimodiere and Quinn Walters winning by an identical 6-3, 6-1 score over Esky’s Jacob Prey and Logan Stephens.

Marquette 7, Kingsford 1

At the Sentinels courts, MSHS head coach Karl Thomsen was pleased that his team could show off its potential during a varsity meet.

“As a team, today was the best we have played all year,” Thomsen said in an email detailing his meet. “Prior to the meet, we talked about how our play in the meets hasn’t met how we compete against each other in practice. 

“We challenged the team to take the next step today and without question, they did.”

He pointed to his No. 1 flights and their victories. In doubles, Winston Leonard and Conner Henry won 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 over the Flivvers’ Andy Yu and Clark Robb, while in singles, Lucas Belkowski took a 6-4, 6-3 win over KHS’ Landon Adam.

“Winston Leonard and Conner Henry showed a lot of grit and heart in their three-set victory over a tough Kingsford squad,” Thomsen said. “I was pleased to see how Conner and Winston stepped up their aggressiveness in a very calculated manner. 

“Lucas Belkowski continued to show his growth as he is continuing his transition into a singles player. Lucas did a great job of being patient today, hitting his spots on the court, and his shot selection was spot on.”

He also pointed out his No. 3 singles player, Caden Laurn, who held on for a marathon 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Kingsford’s Evan Grymes.

“Caden Laurn and Evan Grymes had the match of the day,” the Sentinels coach said. “Both guys hit the felt off the ball, attacked the net and covered the court like a pro. I thought as the match went on, Caden’s confidence grew.

“My hope is our crew will be excited about today, use it as a launching point for the season, but understand their best tennis is still to come.”

Negaunee 7, Escanaba 1

Thursday at Negaunee

SINGLES — No. 1, Easton Guenette (N) def. Chase Korpi 6-3, 6-1; No. 2, Nolan O’Dovero (N) def. Brett Swanson 2-6, 6-2, 6-4; No. 3, Max Larson (N) def. Chris Economopoulos 6-0, 6-1; No. 4, Kyle Smith (E) def. Axl Sarasin 6-4, 4-6, 10-4

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

Marquette 7, Kingsford 1

Thursday at Marquette

SINGLES — No. 1, Lucas Belkowski (M) def. Landon Adam 6-4, 6-3; No. 2, Isaac LeBeouf (K) def. Brady Janofski 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1; No. 3, Caden Laurn (M) def. Evan Grymes 4-6, 6-3, 6-3; No. 4, DJ Menhennick (M) def. Camden White 6-3, 6-4

DOUBLES — No. 1, Winston Leonard-Conner Henry (M) def. Andy Yu-Clark Robb 2-6, 6-2, 6-4; No. 2, Dominic Camilli-Connor Dunn (M) def. Alex Hemgren-Beau Bracket 6-4, 7-5; No. 3, Elan Chu-Kane Bush (M) def. Jacob Waara-Richard Waara 6-2, 6-3; No. 4, Billy Krebs-Jack Tiziani (M) def. Tyler Berglund-Gabe Mancuso 6-1, 6-1

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