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Marquette prevails in D1 tennis

Kingsford’s Landon Adam takes to the air to return a volley at No. 1 singles. (Randy Ritari photo)

WEST ISHPEMING — The outcome of the Upper Peninsula Division 1 Boys Tennis Finals boiled down to results of the No. 2 doubles match Wednesday at Westwood.

Marquette junior Bode Helman and Conner 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 followed by Negaunee with 15 points, Kingsford with 12, Ishpeming Westwood at 6, Escanaba at 5 and Gladstone with 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. 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 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.”

Marquette’s Lucas Belkovich took a 6-2, 6-4 decision from Kingsford’s Landon Adam in No. 1 singles, and 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.

The Sentinels also gained the No. 4 doubles title as Billy Krebs and Jack Tiziani topped Negaunee’s William Derkos and Brady McIntyre 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 Stede and Tren Emards posted a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) triumph over Marquette’s Elan Chu and Kane Busch at No. 3 doubles.

Evan Goymac 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.

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