Marquette Wins First U.P. Tennis Title Since 2005
NEAGUNEE---The Marquette Redettes won the MHSAA Division One girls tennis Upper Peninsula championship on Wednesday. It's the first U.P. title for Marquette since 2005, and it ended Negaunee's run of five straight U.P. championships.
Marquette ended up with 17 points. Negaunee was second with 10. Menominee was third (7), Kingsford and Escanaba tied for fourth with six points. Gladstone had three points.
Marquette had girls in six of the eight finals. The Redette's Elyssa Olivier won the #1 singles championship over Menominee;s Jenna Nolde. Marquette's #2 singles plater, Mollie Kilpela, won the title over Menominee's Josie Hofer in a tough 7-6, 7-6 battle.
Marquette won titles at #3 and #4 doubles.
At #3 doubles, Zoey Brian and Ruth Hummell defeated Escanaba’s Maddy Michica and Gracie Wickham 6-4, 6-4. At #4 doubles, Marquette's Julianna Golisek and Alyson LaBelle beat Kingsford's Liz Penegor and Jenna Olkkonen 6-0, 6-0.
Negaunee's Lexi Mason defeated Marquette's Campbell Kallio at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 7-5. Negaunee also won the top two doubles flights, with Morgan Carlson and Katelyn Lammi topping Menominee's Megan Francour and Emma Anderson at #1, 6-2, 6-1.
The Miners team of Shaylee Menhennick and Tianna Williams beat Emily Marenger and Emma DeLaire of Gladstone, 6-3, 6-2.
ESCANABA ESKYMOS FINISH TIED FOR FOURTH
"Maddy Ide and Alison Sommers played against a terrific Negaunee doubles team and did very well to take them to a tiebreak in the 2nd set," Ogren said.
Escanaba made it to the finals at #3 doubles, with Maddy Mishica and Gracie Wickham after winning a marathon battle in the semifinals.
"They played the match of the day today in the semi finals against Negaunee," Ogren said. "They lost the first set, but were able to win the 2nd set. The match went to a tiebreak in the third set that Escanaba eventually won 9-7."
Despite the fourth place finish, Ogren says the team competed well.
"I was very happy with how the girls played today," Ogren said. "It's nice to see the growth from the first day of practice to what we were able to do today. This has been a terrific team to coach all year, and it's hard to see the season come to a close."
