ISHPEMING — The Negaunee High School boys tennis team keeps rolling after a first-week scare last week when the Miners played Kingsford to a 4-4 tie at the Flivvers’ court.

Otherwise, this Negaunee team has been just about perfect, like they were in an 8-0 shutout of Westwood at the Patriots’ courts on Thursday afternoon.

The Miners (6-0-1) didn’t lose a set as they dropped just 24 games over the eight matches.

“In a short season, you have about two weeks to be young and inexperienced,” Negaunee veteran head coach Kyle Saari said about the typical spring sports season. “Now we have to take a leap next week.”

On Thursday, the coach singled out his No. 1 doubles tandem of Quinn Walters and Carson Lajimodiere for praise, along with No. 2 singles player Nolan O’Dovero.

“Quinn and Carson seemed to turn a corner today for us,” Saari said in emailed comments detailing the meet. “They’ll agree they’ve started a little slow, but they played real smart today. They knew they’re athletic on the other side, and it was good to see us patient.

“Nolan did real well mixing his shots. His confidence has skyrocketed and that opens up the chance for him to compete with anyone.”

Walters and Lajimodiere posted a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Westwood’s Xavier Grondz and Ethan Marta, while O’Dovero was a 6-3, 6-0 victor over the Pats’ Caden Balzarini.

The closest match came at No. 1 singles, where the Miners’ Easton Guenette gutted out a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Westwood’s Damian Grondz.

Both of Thursday’s combatants begin next week’s play at 4 p.m. Tuesday, when Negaunee hosts Gladstone and Westwood entertains Iron Mountain.

Negaunee 8, Westwood 0

Thursday at Westwood

SINGLES — No. 1, Easton Guenette (N) def. Damian Grondz 6-4, 6-4; No. 2, Nolan O’Dovero (N) def. Caden Balzarini 6-3, 6-0; No. 3, Max Larson (N) def. Caeden Nurmi 6-0, 6-1; No. 4, Axl Sarasin (N) def. Evan Hebert 6-3, 6-1

DOUBLES — No. 1, Quinn Walters-Carson Lajimodiere (N) def. Xavier Grondz-Ethan Marta 6-0, 6-1; No. 2, Marshall Knapp-Vince Tincknell (N) def. AJ Pizziola-Sean Grove 6-2, 6-0; No. 3, Conner Steede-Trent Emard (N) def. Brady Dobson-Steve Raisanen 6-1, 6-0; No. 4, Wyatt Nelson-Brandon Alba (N) def. Brody Verville-Deion Johnson 6-2, 6-2

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