Marquette junior Bode Helman and Connor Dunn put the finishing touches on a perfect season with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 triumph over Negaunee’s Vince Tincknell and Marshall Knapp on a sunny and mild afternoon.

Their victory also enabled the Sentinels to retain their title with 17 points.

Marquette was closely followed by Negaunee with 15 points, while Kingsford had 12, the host Patriots with 6, Escanaba 5 and Gladstone 1.

“Having to go three sets made it all the more satisfying,” Helman said. “I thought maybe we’d lose after they went ahead in the third set, but once we got ahead 2-1 it felt like we had the momentum.

Marquette’s Lucas Belkowski drives a forehand during a match at No. 1 singles on Wednesday at the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals in Division 1 boys tennis at Westwood High School. (MHSAA.com photo by Randy Ritari)

“Our overhead shots worked pretty good. I think that may have gotten them out of position.”

Marquette coach Karl Thomsen believed victories at No. 1 singles and doubles also played major roles.

“They came to play,” he said. “They got some points, and winning No. 1 singles was unexpected. The guys saw that and they responded.

“No. 2 doubles was fun for everyone involved. They put on quite a show. Negaunee is so mentally tough, and they’ve been champions for many years. We knew it’d be a three-way battle today.”

Before last year, Negaunee had won five of the past seven Division 1 titles.

Marquette’s Winston Leonard serves at No. 1 doubles on Wednesday at the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals in Division 1 boys tennis at Westwood High School. (MHSAA.com photo by Randy Ritari)

Marquette’s Lucas Belkowski took a 6-2, 6-4 decision from Kingsford’s Landon Adam in the championship match at No. 1 singles, while the Sentinels’ Winston Leonard and Conner Henry outlasted Kingsford’s Andy Yu and Clark Robb 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (11-9) at No. 1 doubles.

MSHS also gained the No. 4 doubles title as Billy Krebs and Jack Tiziani topped Negaunee’s Wyatt Nelson and Brandon Alba in the finals, 6-3, 6-4.

Negaunee won two flights as Nolan O’Dovero defeated Kingsford’s Isaac Lebouef 7-6 (11-9), 6-3 in No. 2 singles, and Connor Steede and Trent Emard posted a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) triumph over Marquette’s Elan Chu and Kane Bush at No. 3 doubles.

Evan Grymes provided Kingsford with its lone flight championship in No. 3 singles as he beat Negaunee’s Max Larson 6-0, 6-1.

At No. 4 singles, Escanaba sophomore Kyle Smith rallied past Marquette sophomore Dominic Camilli 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, much to the delight of his Eskymos’ teammates and coach Alan Adams.

“This feels great,” Smith said. “I didn’t play tennis last year and just started playing last year.

“We’ve gone back and forth all year. I was pretty nervous before the match. Winning the second set was huge. I knew he was down at that time, and I wanted to pick up the pace.”

Smith, who sealed the verdict with a lob into the backcourt, trailed 2-0 during the final set prior to mounting his comeback.

He also fell behind early in the first set, trailing 1-0 on a return shot which sailed too long and 3-0 on a double fault.

John Vrancic is a sports writer affiliated with the Daily Press of Escanaba who was reporting for the Michigan High School Athletic Association website, mhsaa.com.