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ISHPEMING — In the final tuneup before the MHSAA Upper Peninsula finals, Westwood knocked off Marquette 7-1 in a home dual meet on Monday afternoon.

This was both team’s final meet before today’s U.P. Division 1 Finals to be held in Kingsford.

The Patriots controlled Monday’s competition with all seven of their victories coming in straight sets.

Marquette No. 1 singles player Kaia Miller lunges to make a return during a high school girls tennis meet played against Westwood at the Patriots' courts on Monday. (Journal photo by Travis Nelson)

The No. 1 singles match was probably the most thrilling, with Westwood’s Jillian Koski winning the first set 6-2 over Marquette’s Kaia Miller before falling behind 5-3 in the second set. But Koski came back to win that set 7-6 after taking the tiebreaker 7-4.

Koski should benefit from a battle like that, according to Westwood coach Sarah Massie.

“It’s good,” Massie said. “For Jill, I think she needs those types of matches that push her, but also that she sees success so that it builds her confidence.

“Especially at the No. 1 singles flight, you see some tough opponents and if you’re not confident in your game, then you’re not mentally going to win the match.

“That’s been her biggest focus, I would say this year, just staying mentally confident that you’re winning every point and looking at that and not feeling defeated when you’re getting down against a tough opponent.”

Westwood No. 1 singles player Jillian Koski swings while making a return during a high school girls tennis meet played against Westwood at the Patriots' courts on Monday. (Journal photo by Travis Nelson)

WHS cruised through the remainder of the singles matches. Westwood’s Lindsay Williams knocked off Marquette’s Annabella Martinson, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 2. Mallory Leece was victorious over Lexi Hammerstrom, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 3, while Alyssa Couveau got past Natalie Deneau, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 4.

The successful day for Westwood carried over to doubles, with WHS taking three of four flights. The No. 1 doubles team of Natalie Prophet and Natalie Blanck for Westwood got the win over the Redettes’ Eliina Brazeau and Cecelia Jacuzzo, 6-4, 7-5, after a furious Marquette comeback in the second set fell short.

Westwood captured wins in No. 2 and No. 3 doubles also, with Lexi Olson and Alyssa Prophet winning 6-1, 6-3, over Marquette’s Jenna Hassell and Hosanna Brindle at No. 2, and the Patriot No. 3 duo of Hannah Mattila and Hannah Niemi picking up the victory against Lindsey Lake and Sophia Krysmalski, 6-3, 6-1.

Marquette’s Payton Bullock and Payton Pleaugh got the lone Redettes’ victory in No. 4 doubles, defeating Westwood’s Laci Moffatt and Izzie Marta, 6-4, 6-3.

Since the last time Westwood faced Marquette, a 6-2 Patriots’ win on Aug. 25, players at some flights have changed, Massie said. With this latest meet happening just before the U.P. Finals, these matches were good for seeding purposes and for the girls to see where they’re at.

“I think the day went well,” Massie said. “In the past we’ve used this meet for kind of like a prep for U.P.’s. But we hadn’t been in Marquette’s division until last year, so it’s a good way for them to see where they’re at for Wednesday and just play a competitive match, but also prepare themselves for U.P.’s, where there’s obviously a ton of competition.

“There’s seven teams and a lot of them are big schools. I mean Division 1 especially is fun. Anything can happen in U.P.’s and it’s going to be exciting to see what happens; flights surprise you.”

Westwood and Marquette will be joined by Negaunee, host Kingsford, Gladstone, Escanaba and Menominee in the finals at 10 a.m. EDT Wednesday.

Travis Nelson can be reached by email at tnelson@miningjournal. net.