Escanaba senior Maggie Martin prepares to return a ball against Negaunee during the U.P. Finals on Oct. 2, 2024 at Abrahamson Courts in Escanaba. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — It was almost like playing against two opponents at the same time during the Upper Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Tennis Finals here Wednesday.

A stiff south wind, with gusts up to 30 mph, made it challenging for all players on this sunny and seasonably-cool afternoon on the Abrahamson Courts at Escanaba High School.

“The wind was awful,” Ishpeming Westwood senior Lexi Olson said after taking a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 decision from Escanaba senior Maggie Martin in No. 1 doubles. “It affected my serving. You had to be strong mentally and able to adapt. You got to hit the ball hard into the wind. It was fun playing with Maggie. She’s a very good player and opponent. I knew it would be cold, although everybody has to play in the same thing.”

Negaunee, which swept the doubles matches, were crowned champion for the third consecutive year with 20 points. Westwood was runner-up at 16.

“We’re incredibly proud of this group,” Negaunee coach Kyle Saari said. “Today was a roller-coaster day. We had several girls step up along the way. You never know what’s going to happen in the U.P. Finals. The girls showed a lot of grit and determination. Our No. 1 doubles was outstanding today and our No. 3 doubles played their best match of the year in the finals. Our players communicated and trusted in each other. Our girls’ team was solid this year, but they were tested often.”

Esky, which shared the title with Negaunee last season, settled for third place this time with 10 points..

“Maggie was able to get to the finals today despite being seeded fourth,” Esky coach Chris 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.

“Maggie put up a strong fight in the final, but Lexi was dialed in today. Lexi has the ability to hit the ball as well as any player in the U.P. and she showed that in today’s final. Both showed great sportsmanship and hugged each other when the match was over, then signed balls from their match as a keepsake. It was a special moment and it was nice to see two great tennis players who are also truly kind people.”

Olson gained a 4-1 lead in the second set before Martin climbed within 4-3 on one of the few overhead shots in the tournament.

“I really don’t like playing in the wind, but once I got within 4-3, it felt like I had momentum. I just tried to win every point. The (6-2, 6-2) win over Aubrey was a big one. She’s really good. That was a real good boost. There were a lot of good teams in this tournament. It was really cool having the Finals here for the first time, especially in my senior year. A lot of our friends came here to cheer us on. We had a great year. We’re happy with our season.”

Classmate Samantha Korpi also reached the championship round where she dropped a 6-3, 6-1 decision to Negaunee junior Liliana Saunders.

“It was kind of a frustrating day,” Korpi said. “The wind made it hard to control the ball and it was hard serving. Although, I’m happy with the way the season went. I felt I had some mental toughness. I’m proud of winning the GNC (Great Northern Conference). There’s a lot of strong teams in the U.P. Playing multiple matches I think helped my stamina.”

Saunders said taking a 4-0 lead in the first set was very important confidence-wise.

“That provides you with more options,” she added. “I tend to gamble a lot and had to do that today. I thought I was in the right position and the ball would just move on me. You definitely had to stick with groundstrokes. If you tried to lob the ball, it would go out of bounds.”

Saunders, who won No. 4 singles as a freshman, was runner-up at No. 2 last season.

“That was a pretty big step up,” she said. “Although, I think I had more experience this year. The wind made it hard. You didn’t know where the ball was going.”

Esky’s remaining players won their opening-round matches.

“Samantha was the other player from Escanaba to make it through to the a final and was able to upset the No. 2 seed, Sam Ruby from Westwood (7-6, 6-1),” Ogren said. “Samantha had not beaten Westwood in each of their previous meetings, but she was focused today and it was great to see her come out on top.

“Then, she ran into an undefeated Negaunee player (Saunders). Samantha played well, but Lili was just a little more consistent today. Samantha battled to the final point, only she came up a little short. I’m proud of the work Samantha put in this year, and it was great to see her break through and make it to this final today.”

Negaunee won two doubles matches, including No. 1 where seniors Kellen Schultz and Madalynn Peters rallied past Westwood’s Izzie Marta and Nolia Dawson 5-7, 6-0, 6-4.

“We played together in No. 3 doubles two years ago,” Peters said. “We communicated and had good chemistry. The wind made it hard to keep the ball in play. We had plenty of episodes in which the ball didn’t go where you wanted. We had a rough road getting here. We wanted it so bad.”

Players were presented with special medals commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

“This makes it all the more memorable,” Schultz added. “This feels awesome. It’s pretty cool and very special.”

Team standings

Negaunee 20, Ishpeming Westwood 16, Escanaba 10, Kingsford 4, Marquette 3, Menominee 1, Gladstone 0.

Singles

No. 1 — Olson, W, def. Martin, 6-4, 6-4; No. 2 — Saunders, N, def. Korpi, E, 6-3, 6-1; No. 3 — Nelson, N, def. Niemi, 7-5, 6-2; No. 4 — Schneider, W, def. Chapman, N, 6-2, 6-0.

Doubles

No. 1 — Schultz-Peters, N, def. Marta-Dawson, W, 5-7, 6-0, 6-4; No. 2 — Ring-Borlace, N, def. Blackburn-Kentala, Mqt., 6-1, 6-1; No. 3 — Kerkela-Brunette, N, def. Nurmi-Nelson, W, 6-3, 6-7 (6-7), 6-3; No. 4 — Wils-Palomaki, N, def. Etelemaki-Jackovich, 6-3, 6-2.