ESCANABA---The Negaunee Miners won their third straight MHSAA Division One Upper Peninsula girls tennis championship on Wednesday, taking six of the eight flights in Escanaba and Gladstone. Westwood was runners up, winning two flights and runners-up in four other flights.

Negaunee Coach Kyle Saari was pleased.

“The UP’s are the greatest day of the tennis season because you have to battle adversity, highs and lows, weather, your opponents best, high expectations…all while staying 0-0 yourself,” Saari said on Facebook. “Early today, we faced a very steep road, but this entire group earned their way back collectively to give themselves a chance, and eventually pushed through. Often, individuals even discover a part of themselves they didn’t even know existed as they overcome a challenge at hand. So proud of this group, all 16 of them.”

While Westwood was second, Escanaba could not defend the home court, finishing a distant third on the team scoreboard. But Eskymo Coach Chris Ogren was still upbeat.

“Escanaba had a solid day all around today,” Ogren said. “Every one of our girls won their first round match and advanced to the semi finals. Unfortunately, only two of our girls were able to win their semi final match-up and get to the finals.

Ogren was happy with Maggie Martin's play at first singles.

“(She) was able to get to the finals today at #1 singles despite being seeded 4th coming into the day,” Ogren said. “To get to the final, Maggie had to get through Negaunee's Aubrey Johnson, who hadn't lost a match all year. Maggie really tapped into her ability to keep every ball in play and refused to let up. This match had some of the longest points today, but Maggie stayed very patient throughout. She won the match 6-2, 6-2 to get through to the final against Lexi Olson from Westwood. Maggie put up a strong fight in the final, but Lexi was dialed in today.”

And Ogren praised his other UP runner-up, Samantha Korpi at No. 2 singles.

“She was able to upset the #2 seed, Sam Ruby from Westwood in the semifinal match 7-6, 6-1. Samantha had not beaten Westwood in each of their previous meetings, but she was focused today and it was great to see her come through on top,” Ogren said. “In the finals, she ran into undefeated Negaunee player, Lili Saunders. Samantha played very well, but Lili was just a little bit more consistent today. I'm proud of the work that Samantha put in this year, and it was great to see her break through and make it to this final today.”

As for the Miners, the girls left Escanaba with another piece of hardware for the trophy case.

“It’s important to highlight the unbelievable support system our program has to put us in this position, too,” Saari wrote. “Cody Scanlon and Emma Miller are crucial on tournament days. When multiple sites are used, you need eyes everywhere. Both coaches played key parts in comeback semifinal wins at their sites. This, plus the incredible family support for each athlete is rare in high school tennis. Your preparation, support at home, and presence makes a difference each match.”

U.P FINALS TEAM SCOREBOARD
Negaunee 20
Westwood 16
Escanaba 10
Marquette 4
Kingsford 4
Menominee 1
Gladstone 0

U.P. FINALS INVIDUAL FINAL MATCHES

1st Singles: Westwood's Lexi Olson defeated Escanaba's Maggie Martin, 6-4, 6-4
2nd Singles: Negaunee's Lily Saunders defeated Escanaba's Samantha Korpi, 6-3, 6-1
3rd Singles: Negaunee's Rheana Nelson defeated Westwood's Hannah Niemi, 7-5, 6-2
4th Singles: Westwood's Morgan Schneider defeated Negaunee's Addie Chapman, 6-2, 6-0.

1st Doubles: Negaunee's Kallen Schultz/Madalynn Peters defeated Westwood's Izzie Marta/Nolia Dawson, 5-7, 6-0, 6-4.

2nd Doubles: Negaunee's Autumn Ring/Alyssa Borlace defeated Marquette's Aubree Blackburn/Eva Kentala, 6-1, 6-1.

3rd Doubles: Negaunee's Nicole Kerkela/Paityn Brunette defeated Westwood's Niila Nurmi/Emersyn Nelson, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.

4th Doubles: Negaunee's Emma Wils/Halle Palomaki defeated Westwood's Kaya Etelemaki/Taylor Jackovich, 7-5, 6-0.