Category: Girls Tennis

The 2022 All-U.P. Division 1 Girls Tennis postseason awards were released earlier this week and MSHS had four of its girls tennis student-athletes receive honors.

Marquette’s #1 Singles student-athlete Kaia Miller was honored with All-U.P. First Team Singles accolades for the second consecutive season.  The MSHS #1 Doubles tandem of Payton Bullock and Payton Pleaugh were named All-U.P. First Team Doubles.  In addition, #2 Singles student-athlete Annabella Martinson received All-U.P. Honorable Mention honors.

Below is the complete list of postseason honors for the 2022 U.P. Division 1 girls tennis season:

U.P. Division 1 Player of the Year:

• Sophia Derkos, Escanaba

U.P. Division 1 Coach of the Year:

• Ryan Barron, Gladstone

Division 1 All-UP First Team Singles:

• Lexi Olson – Westwood
• Kaia Miller – Marquette
• Sophia Derkos – Escanaba
• Tia Schone – Gladstone

Division 1 All-UP First Team Doubles:

• Izzie Marta & Alyssa Couveau – Westwood
• Payton Bullock & Payton Pleaugh – Marquette
• Stella Harris & Madison Frustaglio – Negaunee
• Sage Juntti & Olivia Lunseth – Negaunee
• Delaney McIntyre & Natalie Williams – Escanaba
• Maggie Buckley & Montgomery Pepin – Gladstone

Division 1 All-UP Honorable Mention Singles:

• Annabella Martinson – Marquette
• Jordan Enright – Negaunee
• Aubrey Johnson – Negaunee
• Sonya Maki – Escanaba
• Addie Trombley – Gladstone

Division 1 All-UP Honorable Mention Doubles:

• Kallen Schultz & Madalynn Peters – Negaunee
• Leslie Purcell & Sam Manninen – Escanaba

On Wednesday, September 28, the MSHS Girls Tennis team traveled to Kingsford compete in the 2022 MHSAA U.P. Division 1 Girls Tennis Championship.  In what was a tight three-team competition for the title, MSHS finished second out of seven competing schools.

Team Scores:

1. Negaunee – 19
2. Marquette – 14
3. Escanaba – 11
4. Westwood – 8
5. Gladstone – 3
6. Menominee – 1
7. Kingsford – 0

2022 MSHAA Division 1 U.P. Champions:

• #1 Singles:  Sophia Derkos – Escanaba
• #2 Singles:  Tia Schone – Gladstone
• #3 Singles:  Rheana Nelson – Negaunee
• #4 Singles:  Lilliana Saunders – Negaunee
• #1 Doubles:  Delaney McIntyre & Natalie Williams – Escanaba
• #2 Doubles:  Olivia Lunseth & Sage Juntti – Negaunee
• #3 Doubles:  Kallen Schultz & Madalynn Peters – Negaunee
• #4 Doubles:  Lyndsey Lake & Lexi Hammerstrom – Marquette

Additional Top Performers From MSHS:

• #1 Singles:  Kaia Miller – 2nd Place
• #2 Singles:  Annabella Martinson – 3rd Place
• #3 Singles:  Cecelia Jacuzzo – 2nd Place
• #4 Singles:  Natalie Deneau – 3rd Place
• #1 Doubles:  Payton Bullock & Payton Pleaugh – 3rd Place
• #2 Doubles:  Hosanna Brindle & Maija Parkkonen – 2nd Place
• #3 Doubles:  Eliina Brazeau & Nistha Gautam – 2nd Place

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (8-2-2; 6-0-2 GNC)

MARQUETTE 7, KINGSFORD 1

Singles

• No. 1 – Kaia Miller, MARQUETTE def. Ashlyn Blaskowski, KINGSFORD, 6-2, 6-1;
• No. 2 – Annabella Martinson, MARQUETTE def. Paige Janoshek, KINGSFORD, 6-2, 6-2;
• No. 3 – Cecelia Jacuzzo, MARQUETTE def. Ella Rizzo, KINGSFORD, 6-2, 6-3;
• No. 4 – Natalie Deneau, MARQUETTE def. Allette Shanks, KINGSFORD, 7-6 (7-1), 6-1;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Payton Bullock & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE def. Lexi Vross & Ellyse Doehier, KINGSFORD, 6-3, 6-1;
• No. 2 – Addie Rutter & Linnea Grubb, KINGSFORD def. Hosanna Brindle & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5;
• No. 3 – Eliina Brazeau & Nistha Gautam, MARQUETTE def. Aubrey Phillips & Audrey Veale, KINGSFORD, 6-2, 6-2;
• No. 4 – Lindsey Lake & Lexi Hammerstrom, MARQUETTE def. Libby Vross & Ava Lovell, KINGSFORD, 6-3, 6-2

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “It felt like we hadn’t played a match in forever, but that is just due to the super busy schedule we have had the past few weeks.  With that being said, it was a great tune-up match for the G.N.C.’s this coming Wednesday.  On the singles side of the meet, all four of our girls played smart matches and hit a lot of great shots.  I was very happy with the mid-match adjustments both Natalie Deneau and Annabella Martinson made which helped them prevail.  Over on the doubles’ courts, all the girls continued to show growth in their communication and positioning.  At #1 doubles, the Payton’s had some bus legs early on, but settled in and hit a lot of high-quality returns.  Lindsey Lake and Lexi Hammerstrom continued to gel with their nice 1-2 serve-and-volley game.  I’m not sure what the conference tournament or U.P.’s will have in store for us, but I do know this group of girls has been a riot to coach and have taken big strides this year.”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis Team will next compete at the Great Northern Conference meet that will be hosted by West Iron County (at Kingsford High School) on Wednesday, September 21.  Matches have a start time of 10:00 a.m. EST (9:00 a.m. CST).

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (7-2-2; 5-0-2 GNC)

MARQUETTE 5, WESTWOOD 3

Singles

• No. 1 – Lexi Olson, WESTWOOD def. Kaia Miller, MARQUETTE, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-2;
• No. 2 – Annabella Martinson, MARQUETTE def. Hannah Niemi, WESTWOOD, 6-0, 6-2;
• No. 3 – Cecelia Jacuzzo, MARQUETTE def. Emersyn Nelson, WESTWOOD, 6-1, 6-3;
• No. 4 – Samantha Ruby, WESTWOOD def. Natalie Deneau, MARQUETTE, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Payton Bullock & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE def. Izzie Marta & Alyssa Couveau, WESTWOOD, 6-4, 6-1;
• No. 2 – Nolia Dawson & Katie Doney, WESTWOOD def. Hosanna Brindle & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE, 6-4, 6-3;
• No. 3 – Eliina Brazeau & Nistha Gautam, MARQUETTE def. Niila Nurmi & Morgan Schneider, WESTWOOD, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3;
• No. 4 – Lindsey Lake & Lexi Hammerstrom, MARQUETTE def. Berkley Richards & Kaya Etelmaki, WESTWOOD, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3

Next Up:

• The MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis Team will have their final match of the regular season on Monday, September 19, when they travel to Kingsford for a match beginning at 4:45 p.m. EST.

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (6-2-2; 5-0-2 GNC)

MARQUETTE 4, ESCANABA 4

Singles

• No. 1 – Sophia Derkos, ESCANABA def. Kaia Miller, MARQUETTE, 6-3, 6-2;
• No. 2 – Annabella Martinson, MARQUETTE def. Sonya Maki, ESCANABA, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4;
• No. 3 – Molly VanDamme, ESCANABA def. Cecelia Jacuzzo, MARQUETTE, 6-0, 6-0;
• No. 4 – Natalie Deneau, MARQUETTE def. Maggie Martin, ESCANABA, 6-3, 6-4;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Delaney McIntyre & Natalie Williams, ESCANABA def. Payton Bullock & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE, 6-3, 6-3;
• No. 2 – Sam Manninen & Molly Smale, ESCANABA def. Hosanna Brindle & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2;
• No. 3 – Eliina Brazeau & Nistha Gautam, MARQUETTE def. Isy Braun & Sophie Wagner, ESCANABA, 6-0, 6-3;
• No. 4 – Lindsey Lake & Lexi Hammerstrom, MARQUETTE def. Carly Bowden & Danni Hughes, ESCANABA, 6-1, 6-2

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “Once again it was a battle… once again it was a tie.  Our two teams are very similar, but today I thought the play from both teams was much improved from where it was two weeks ago.  A lot of good shot making from both squads.  On the doubles side of things, I was really pleased with how all four of our teams moved on the court.  Specifically, Lyndsey Lake and Lexi Hammerstrom had a strong 1-2 punch going today.  At #3 doubles, the first set Eliina Brazeau and Nistha Gautham played was probably their best set of the year.  The match of the day, and the longest match, belonged to Annabella Martinson (MSHS) and Sonya Maki (Esky) at #2 singles.  Annabella showed a “never say die” mentality as she rallied off 5 straight games in the 3rd set after being down 1 – 4.  With what we saw today out on the courts, next week’s conference meet should be really fun to watch.”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis Team will be right back at it on Wednesday, 9/14/22, when they host Westwood for a match beginning at 3:00 p.m.

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (5-2-1; 4-0-1 GNC)

MARQUETTE 8, MUNISING 0

Singles

• No. 1 – Kaia Miller, MARQUETTE def. Athina Johnson, MUNISING, 6-0, 6-0;
• No. 2 – Annabella Martinson, MARQUETTE def. Callie Britton, MUNISING, 6-0, 6-0;
• No. 3 – Cecelia Jacuzzo, MARQUETTE def. Madelyn Richardson, MUNISING, 6-0, 6-0;
• No. 4 – Natalie Deneau, MARQUETTE def. Lauren Nelson, MUNISING, 6-0, 6-0;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Payton Bullock & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE def. Kate Mattson & Bailey Corcoran, MUNISING, 6-0, 6-0;
• No. 2 – Hosanna Brindle & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE def. Dayne Benning & Julia Prunick, MUNISING, 6-0, 6-1;
• No. 3 – Eliina Brazeau & Nistha Gautam, MARQUETTE def. Jalen Hancock & Tessa Salo, MUNISING, 6-0, 6-0;
• No. 4 – Lexi Hammerstrom & Sophie Krysmalski, MARQUETTE def. Hayden Bayer & Tamryn Nolan, MUNISING, 6-0, 6-0

Next Up:

• The MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis Team will be back in action today, September 8, when they travel to Menominee for a dual meet beginning at 4:00 p.m. EST.

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (4-2-1; 3-0-1 GNC)

MARQUETTE 3, NEGAUNEE 5

Singles

• No. 1 – Kaia Miller, MARQUETTE def. Jordan Enright, NEGAUNEE, 6-1, 6-2;
• No. 2 – Annabella Martinson, MARQUETTE def. Aubrey Johnson, NEGAUNEE, 6-3, 6-0;
• No. 3 – Cecelia Jacuzzo, MARQUETTE def. Rhenna Nelson, NEGAUNEE, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5;
• No. 4 – Lillian Saunders, NEGAUNEE def. Natalie Deneau, MARQUETTE, 6-2, 6-3;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Stella Harris & Maddie Frusaglio, NEGAUNEE def. Payton Bullock & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE, 6-2, 6-3;
• No. 2 – Sage Juntti & Olivia Lunseth, NEGAUNEE def. Hosanna Brindle & Lexi Hammerstrom, MARQUETTE, 6-1, 6-2;
• No. 3 – Kallen Schultz & Madalynn Peters, NEGAUNEE def. Eliina Brazeau & Nistha Gautam, MARQUETTE, 6-4, 6-4;
• No. 4 – Autum Ring & Ava Gustitus, NEGAUNEE def. Lyndsey Lake & Delana Sprowl, MARQUETTE, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “Another great battle with a very good Negaunee team.  I give all of the players a ton of credit because it was both teams 4^th straight day of match play and even worse, it was extremely hot.  Annabella Martinson had a terrific day hitting the ball clean at #2 singles.   I believe it started yesterday when near the end of her match she started hitting a good number of clean winners.  Today the focus for Annabella was there from the start of the match and she picked up right where she left off yesterday.  The match of the day took place at #3 singles.  Rheanna Nelson and Cecelia Jacuzzo played another marathon 3-setter.  We figured between Monday’s match and today’s, the two girls have played about 6 hours of tennis.  In the end, I was super pumped for Cecelia.  She had the roller coaster of emotions going, was able to settle in, and toughed out a win against a quality opponent.  Today’s match marked the halfway point of the season.  The girls have had a nice first half of the year, but we still have a lot of room for growth going forward.”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis Team will have the Labor Day weekend off from competition before returning to play on Wednesday, 9/7/22, when they host Munising for a meet starting at 4:00 p.m.

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (4-1-1; 3-0-1 GNC)

MARQUETTE 7, WEST IRON COUNTY 1

Singles

• No. 1 – Kaia Miller, MARQUETTE def. Aubrey Brice, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-1, 6-1;
• No. 2 – Seanna Stine, WEST IRON COUNTY def. Annabella Martinson, MARQUETTE, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3;
• No. 3 – Cecelia Jacuzzo, MARQUETTE def. Kaitlyn Smith, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-3, 6-2;
• No. 4 – Natalie Deneau, MARQUETTE def. O. Lamay, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-2, 6-4;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Payton Bullock & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE def. Aubrey Smith & Lillie Schmultzer, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-1, 6-3;
• No. 2 – Hosanna Brindle & Lexi Hammerstrom, MARQUETTE def. B. Hoffart & Aubrey Richardson, WEST IRON COUNTY 6-3, 6-0;
• No. 3 – Eliina Brazeau & Nistha Gautam, MARQUETTE def. Aubrey Smith & Talyor Brett, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-1, 6-1;
• No. 4 – Lyndsey Lake & Delana Sprowl, MARQUETTE def. Destiny Lemery & Maddie Cronkright, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-3, 6-1

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “Well, it was nice to have a home meet today after traveling to Westwood, Negaunee, and Esky for our last three meets.  Guessing by how the girls played, I think they were happy to be in front of their home crowd.  Both our #1 doubles team, The Payton’s, and our #2 doubles team, Lexi and Hosanna, had a solid one-two punch rolling on the courts today.  On the single side of things, I was really happy about how Natalie Deneau battled back after a slow start in the 2^nd set.  I’m pleased where the girls are at this point of the season, but I also realize we have to keep taking steps forward in order to compete at the end of the year. ”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis Team will return to play tomorrow, 9/1/22, when they host Negaunee for a meet starting at 4:00 p.m.  Varsity matches will be played at MSHS with JV matches taking place at the NMU Tennis Courts.

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (3-1-1; 2-0-1 GNC)

MARQUETTE 4, ESCANABA 4

Singles

• No. 1 – Sophia Derkos, ESCANABA def. Kaia Miller, MARQUETTE, 6-1, 6-3;
• No. 2 – Sonya Maki, ESCANABA def. Annabella Martinson, MARQUETTE, 6-4, 6-3;
• No. 3 – Cecelia Jacuzzo, MARQUETTE def. Molly VanDamme, ESCANABA, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4;
• No. 4 – Natalie Deneau, MARQUETTE def. Maggie Martin, ESCANABA, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4);

Doubles

• No. 1 – Natalie Williams & Delaney McIntyre, ESCANABA def. Payton Bullock & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE, 6-4, 2-6, 6-0;
• No. 2 – Sam Manninen & Leslie Purcell, ESCANABA def. Hosanna Brindle & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1;
• No. 3 – Eliina Brazeau & Nistha Gautam, MARQUETTE def. Isy Braun & Sophie Wagner, ESCANABA, 6-4, 6-3;
• No. 4 – Lyndsey Lake & Delana Sprowl, MARQUETTE def. Carly Bowden & Molly Smale, ESCANABA, 6-3, 6-4

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “Today’s meet was very similar to our meet yesterday against Negaunee; lots of close matches.  I was really pleased with our effort today in the close sets and matches.  The girls showed more mental toughness today, stayed positive, didn’t dwell on their mistakes, and the result was some really good tennis.  Cecelia Jacuzzo solidified the tie with Esky, by adjusting her game in set #2 and showing a lot of grit in set #3.  Hats off also to the #3 doubles team of Eliina Brazeau and Nistha Gautham.  As the first set tightened up, they were able to step up and win those key points.  Meets like the last three (Westwood, Negaunee, and Esky) are what we need to grow and prepare for the end of the season tournaments.”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis Team will be back at home today, 8/31/22, when they host West Iron County for a meet starting at 3:30 p.m.