Category: Girls Tennis

The 2023 All-U.P. Division 1 Girls Tennis postseason awards were released today (10/18/23) and MSHS had three of its girls tennis student-athletes receive honors.

The MSHS #1 Doubles tandem of Lexi Hammerstrom and Payton Pleaugh were named All-U.P. First Team Doubles.  In addition, #1 Singles student-athlete Payton Bullock received All-U.P. Honorable Mention honors.

Below is the complete list of postseason honors for the 2023 U.P. Division 1 girls tennis season:

U.P. Division 1 Player of the Year:

• Sophia Derkos, Escanaba (1S)

U.P. Division 1 Coach of the Year:

• Chris Ogren, Escanaba

Division 1 All-UP First Team Singles:

• Sophia Derkos, Escanaba (1S)
• Aubrey Johnson, Negaunee (1S)
• Lexi Olson, Westwood (1S)
• Lilliana Saunders, Negaunee (2S)
• Samantha Ruby, Westwood (2S)

Division 1 All-UP First Team Doubles:

• Natalie Williams & Sam Manninen, Escanaba (1D)
• Isabelle Marta & Alyssa Couveau, Westwood (1D)
• Kallen Schultz & Maddie Frustaglio, Negaunee (1D)
• Payton Pleaugh & Lexi Hammerstrom, Marquette (1D)
• Audrey Veale & Libby Vross, Kingsford (1D)
• Montgomery Pepin & Maggie Buckley, Gladstone (1D)
• Kamryn Olson & Madeline Barker, Menominee (1D)
• Nolia Dawson & Kayline Doney, Westwood (2D)
• Olivia Lunseth & Sage Juntti, Negaunee (2D)

Division 1 All-UP Honorable Mention Singles:

• Tia Schone, Gladstone (1S)
• Payton Bullock, Marquette (1S)
• Elena Murphy – Menominee (1S)
• Addie Trombley, Gladstone (1S)
• Molly VanDamme, Escanaba (2S)
• Rheana Nelson, Negaunee (3S)
• Sam Korpi, Escanaba (3S)
• Addison Rutter, Kingsford (3S)
• Sonya Maki & Molly Smale, Escanaba (2D)

Division 1 All-UP Honorable Mention Doubles:

• Sonya Maki & Molly Smale, Escanaba (2D)

On Wednesday, 10/4/23, the MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis team hosted six other schools for the 2023 MHSAA U.P. Division 1 Girls Tennis Championship.  In what was a tight three-team competition for the title, MSHS finished fourth out of the seven participating schools.

Team Scores:

• T1.  Escanaba – 16
• T1.  Negaunee – 16
• 3.  Westwood – 14
• 4.  Marquette – 4
• T5.  Gladstone – 2
• T5.  Kingsford – 2
• 7.  Menominee – 1

2023 MSHAA Division 1 U.P. Champions:

• #1 Singles:  Sophia Derkos – Escanaba
• #2 Singles:  Samantha Ruby – Westwood
• #3 Singles:  Rheana Nelson – Negaunee
• #4 Singles:  Madalynn Peters – Negaunee
• #1 Doubles:  Sam Manninen & Natalie Williams – Escanaba
• #2 Doubles:  Nolia Dawson & Kaylin Doney – Westwood
• #3 Doubles:  Autumn Ring & Alyssa Borlace – Negaunee
• #4 Doubles:  Danni Hughes & Carly Bowden – Escanaba

Point Earners From MSHS:

• #2 Singles:  Lucy Stern – Semifinalist
• #1 Doubles:  Payton Pleaugh & Lexi Hammerstrom – Semifinalist
• #2 Doubles:  Natalie Deneau & Maija Parkkonen – Semifinalist
• #4 Doubles:  Eva Sjoholm & Mylee Muscoe – Semifinalist

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (7-5-1; 7-1-1 GNC)

On Wednesday, 9/27/23, the MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis team traveled to Escanaba to take part in the 2023 Great Northern Conference (GNC) Girls Tennis Championships.

Team Scores:

1. Escanaba – 26
2. Marquette – 16
3. Gladstone – 12
4. West Iron County – 12
5. Kingsford – 7
6. Menominee – 6
7. Munising – 1

Top Performers From MSHS:

• 2nd Place:  Natalie Deneau & Maija Parkkonen (#2 Doubles)
• 2nd Place:   Aubree Blackburn & Laura Barsch (#3 Doubles)
• 2nd Place:  Mylee Muscoe & Eva Sjoholm (#4 Doubles)
• 3rd Place:  Payton Bullock (#1 Singles)
• 3rd Place:   Lucy Stern (#2 Singles)
• 3rd Place:  Eva Kentala (#4 Singles)

Click here to view brackets from each flight of the 2023 GNC Girls Tennis Championships.

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (7-4-1; 7-1-1 GNC)

The MSHS Girls Tennis team played host to both Menominee and Westwood on Thursday afternoon (9/21/23).  After defeating Menominee by a score of 7-1 to move to 7-1-1 in the Great Northern Conference, Marquette dropped a 6-2 decision to Westwood.

MARQUETTE 7, MENOMINEE 1

Singles

• No. 1 – Payton Bullock, MARQUETTE def. Elena Murphy, MENOMINEE, 7-5, 6-4;
• No. 2 – Lucy Stern, MARQUETTE def. Mackenzie Doyle, MENOMINEE, 6-4, 6-1;
• No. 3 – Anna Axtel, MENOMINEE def. Maya Griffin, MARQUETTE, 6-2, 6-3;
• No. 4 – Kyra Autio, MARQUETTE def. Delaney Wagner, MENOMINEE, 6-0, 6-1;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Payton Pleaugh & Lexi Hammerstrom, MARQUETTE def. Madelyn Barker & Kamryn Olsen, MENOMINEE, 7-6 (3), 6-1;
• No. 2 – Natalie Deneau & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE def. Isabelle Bentley & Courtney Olson, MENOMINEE, 6-2, 6-2;
• No. 3 – Laura Barsch & Aubree Blackburn, MARQUETTE def. Ava Chouinard & Ella Barker, MENOMINEE 7-5, 6-4;
• No. 4 – Eva Sjoholm & Mylee Muscoe, MARQUETTE def. Andi Anderson & Annalece Marsicek, MENOMINEE, 6-0, 6-0

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “God blessed us with a beautiful late September day for a tennis double-header and I think our girls fed off the weather. Our singles girls really hit the ball well against Menominee. Kyra Autio has been battling some foot issues, but you wouldn’t have noticed it today. Her court coverage/movement was awesome and that allowed her to get off the court fairly quickly. At #1 singles, Payton Bullock continued a good week of tennis with some impressive shot making against a strong opponent. On the doubles side of things, Payton Pleaugh and Lexi Hammerstrom figured out the puzzle and put together a solid victory.”

MARQUETTE 2, WESTWOOD 6

Singles

• No. 1 – Lexi Olson, WESTWOOD def. Payton Bullock, MARQUETTE, 6-1, 6-4;
• No. 2 – Sami Ruby, WESTWOOD def. Lucy Stern, MARQUETTE, 7-5, 6-1;
• No. 3 – Emersyn Nelson, WESTWOOD def. Maya Griffin, MARQUETTE, 6-4, 6-2;
• No. 4 – Morgan Schneider, WESTWOOD def. Eva Kentala, MARQUETTE, 6-1, 6-2;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Izzie Marta & Alyssa Couveau, WESTWOOD def. Payton Pleaugh & Lexi Hammerstrom, MARQUETTE, 6-3, 6-4;
• No. 2 – Nolia Dawson & Kaylin Doney, WESTWOOD def. Natalie Deneau & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE,6-4, 1-6, 6-2;
• No. 3 – Laura Barsch & Aubree Blackburn, MARQUETTE def. Niila Nurmi & Ellisa Doney, WESTWOOD, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1;
• No. 4 – Eva Sjoholm & Mylee Muscoe, MARQUETTE def. Andi Anderson & Annalece Marsicek, WESTWOOD, 0-6, 6-3, 6-2

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “The match against Westwood was the second match of a double-header and a great trial run for the upcoming tournaments. It was almost 80-degrees outside and our girls battled and fought for every point. The doubles matches were all very close as three of them went to a third set and the #1 doubles match was a close two-setter. Our #3 doubles team (Laura Barsch/Aubree Blackburn) and our #4 doubles team (Mylee Muscoe/Eva Sjoholm) both got worked over pretty good in the first set. To their credit, there was no panic, a lot of confidence, and some really smart tennis which eventually allowed them to complete the comeback victories. Overall, this match capped off a good week of tennis for our girls which we will hopefully use to catapult us into the GNC tournament.”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Girls Tennis team will have their final regular season match on Monday, 9/25/23, when they travel to Negaunee for a 4:00 p.m. dual meet.

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (6-3-1; 6-1-1 GNC)

MARQUETTE 8, MUNISING 0

Singles

• No. 1 – Payton Bullock, MARQUETTE def. Bailey Corcoran, MUNISING, 6-2, 6-3;
• No. 2 – Natalie Deneau, MARQUETTE def. Alex Gross, MUNISING, 6-0, 6-3;
• No. 3 – Laura Barsch, MARQUETTE def. Madelyn Richardson, MUNISING, 6-0, 6-0;
• No. 4 – Petra Frazier, MARQUETTE def. Callie Britton, MUNISING, 6-4, 6-2;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Payton Pleaugh & Aubree Blackburn, MARQUETTE def. Dayne Behning & Julia Prunick, MUNISING, 6-3, 6-3;
• No. 2 – Eva Sjoholm & Mylee Muscoe, MARQUETTE def. Kate Mattson & Jailen Hancock, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1;
• No. 3 – Maija Parkkonen & Logan McFarren, MARQUETTE def. Tessa Salo & Emmy Crisp, MUNISING, 7-5, 6-4;
• No. 4 – Elena Henry & Amelia Bouws, MARQUETTE def. Lauren Nelson & Tamryn Nolan, MUNISING, 6-3, 6-4

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “First off, hats off to Coach Hayes and Coach Prunick for being great advocates for tennis in Munising.  They have a great group of young ladies who possess an extraordinary amount of athleticism.  There were solid matches all over the courts today.  Our phenomenal group of seniors, who we celebrated today, really led the way.  At  #2 doubles, seniors Mylee Muscoe and Eva Sjoholm had to dig deep to come up with a nice 3-set victory.  I was really happy for Petra Frazier, another senior, as she rallied from a 4 – 1 deficit in the first set to win in straight sets.  At #4 doubles, our senior team of Elena Henry/Amelia Bouws, was on fire today as they picked up their first varsity win.  Maija Parkkonen and Logan McFarren showed a high level of compete to fight back after being in a 2 – 5 hole in the first set.  This also was a special victory as it marked Logan’s (a sophomore) first varsity win.”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Girls Tennis team will be back in action for two matches today (9/21/23) when they host Menominee (1:00 p.m.) and Westwood (4:00 p.m.) at the Shiras Tennis Courts.

MSHS Varsity Girls Tennis (5-3-1; 5-1-1 GNC)

MARQUETTE 5, KINGSFORD 3

Singles

• No. 1 – Payton Bullock, MARQUETTE def. Ella Rizzo, KINGSFORD, 7-6 (4), 6-1;
• No. 2 – Lucy Stern, MARQUETTE def. Allette Shanks, KINGSFORD, 6-1, 6-2;
• No. 3 – Addie Rutter, KINGSFORD def. Maya Griffin, MARQUETTE, 3-6, 6-2, 3-0 (ret.);
• No. 4 – Abby Przeslakowski, KINGSFORD def. Kyra Autio, MARQUETTE, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (3);

Doubles

• No. 1 – Audrey Veale & Libby Vross, KINGSFORD def. Lexi Hammerstrom & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE, 7-5, 4-6, 6-0;
• No. 2 – Natalie Deneau & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE def. Addy Kriegl & Eden Januousek, KINGSFORD, 6-0, 6-3;
• No. 3 – Aubree Blackburn & Laura Barsch, MARQUETTE def. Aubrey Phillips & Ava Lovell, KINGSFORD, 6-2, 6-1;
• No. 4 – Eva Sjoholm & Mylee Muscoe, MARQUETTE def. Addison Paternoster & Maddy Sleik, KINGSFORD, 6-1, 6-2

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “First of all, hats off to Kingsford. They are a much improved team from earlier this season. Our #2, #3, and #4 doubles squads played very fundamentally sound tennis. Five of those six girls are seniors, so it’s nice, and not surprising, to see them really starting to gear up for their last few weeks of their high school tennis career. On the singles side of the fence, I was super proud and happy for Payton Bullock. To watch her dig out of a first set deficit, gain her confidence, and carry it into the third set was the medicine Payton needed. Overall, I liked the way we played today, but we need to get healthy and clean a few things up to be at our best for the GNC Meet.”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Girls Tennis team will be back in action on Wednesday, 9/20/23, when they host Munising for a dual match beginning at 4:00 p.m. from the Shiras Tennis Courts.

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

MARQUETTE 1, WESTWOOD 7

Singles

• No. 1 – Lexi Olson, WESTWOOD def. Payton Bullock, MARQUETTE, 6-2, 6-3;
• No. 2 – Sami Ruby, WESTWOOD def. Lucy Stern, MARQUETTE, 6-3, 6-4;
• No. 3 – Emersyn Nelson, WESTWOOD def. Maya Griffin, MARQUETTE, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2;
• No. 4 – Morgan Schneieder, WESTWOOD def. Eva Kentala, MARQUETTE, 6-1, 6-0;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Izzie Marta & Alyssa Couveau, WESTWOOD def. Lexi Hammerstrom & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE, 6-1, 7-5;
• No. 2 – Kaylin Doney & Nolia Dawson, WESTWOOD def. Natalie Deneau & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE, 6-4, 6-4;
• No. 3 – Aubree Blackburn & Laura Barsch, MARQUETTE def. Ellisa Doney & Niila Nurmi, WESTWOOD, 6-3, 6-7 (7-1), 6-3;
• No. 4 – Kayla Etelamaki & Taylor Jackovich, WESTWOOD def. Eva Sjoholm & Mylee Muscoe, MARQUETTE, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (8-6)

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “Today was the type of tennis that is a joy to watch; two competitive teams, capped off by the marathon 3-setter at the #4 doubles flight. Our girls, Eva Sjoholm and Mylee Muscoe, took a major step today despite the loss. I am super proud of how they executed their game plan and battled until the end. Down a flight at #3 doubles, Laura Barsch and Aubree Blackburn continued to grow. It has been very fun this year to watch their tennis I.Q. evolve. Overall, my big takeaway from today’s meet is that our compete level was really good. Our objective now is to keep that intensity we had today and clean up a few mistakes. If we can do those two things, the end of the year should be really fun and interesting.”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Girls Tennis team will have the weekend off before resuming play on Monday, 9/18/23, when they host Kingsford for a match in the Great Northern Conference beginning at 3:30 p.m. from the Shiras Tennis Courts.

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

MARQUETTE 2, ESCANABA 6

Singles

• No. 1 – Sophia Derkos, ESCANABA def. Payton Bullock, MARQUETTE, 6-2, 6-0;
• No. 2 – Lucy Stern, MARQUETTE def. Molly VanDamme, ESCANABA, 0-6, 6-1, 6-4;
• No. 3 – Sam Korpi, ESCANABA def. Maya Griffin, MARQUETTE, 7-6 (2), 4-6, 11-9;
• No. 4 – Maggie Martin, ESCANABA def. Eva Kentala, MARQUETTE, 6-0, 6-0;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Natalie Williams & Sam Manninen, ESCANABA def. Lexi Hammerstrom & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE, 6-2, 6-2;
• No. 2 – Molly Smale & Sonya Maki, ESCANABA def. Kyra Autio & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE, 6-2, 6-1;
• No. 3 – Aubree Blackburn & Laura Barsch, MARQUETTE def. Val Royer & Sophie Wagner, ESCANABA, 7-6 (5), 6-3;
• No. 4 – Danni Hughes & Carly Bowden, ESCANABA def. Eva Sjoholm & Mylee Muscoe, MARQUETTE, 6-0, 6-2

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “After almost two weeks of no matches (weather) it was great to get back after it. I was really happy with how our #3 doubles team of Laura Barsch and Aubree Blackburn applied what we have been working on in practice. Lucy Stern had a little rust early on, but battled her way through it to have a nice victory over a tough opponent. Maya Griffin and Sam Korpi had a thrilling match at #3 singles. After the girls split the first two sets, we opted for a third set super tiebreak in fear of running into rain and darkness. Sam eventually prevailed 11 – 9 in the tiebreak. I’m hoping these two get a chance to meet during tournament time. ”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Girls Tennis team will be back in action tomorrow (Wednesday, 9/13/23), when they travel to Westwood for a dual meet starting at 4:00 p.m.

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

MARQUETTE 6, WEST IRON COUNTY 2

Singles

• No. 1 – Aubrey Bice, WEST IRON COUNTY def. Payton Bullock, MARQUETTE, 6-0, 7-5;
• No. 2 – Sienna Stine, WEST IRON COUNTY def. Lucy Stern, MARQUETTE, 6-3, 6-2;
• No. 3 – Maya Griffin, MARQUETTE def. Kaitlyn Smith, WEST IRON COUNTY, 4-1 (retired);
• No. 4 – Kyra Autio, MARQUETTE def. Erin Kolbas, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-3, 6-2;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Lexi Hammerstrom & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE def. Destiny Lemery & Olivia Lamay, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-0, 6-3;
• No. 2 – Natalie Deneau & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE def. Aubrey Richardson & Kaycee Ingram, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-1, 6-4;
• No. 3 – Aubree Blackburn & Laura Barsch, MARQUETTE def. Alex Hansen & Madison Conkright, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-1, 6-0;
• No. 4 – Eva Sjoholm & Mylee Muscoe, MARQUETTE def. Rachel Fenous & Julie White, WEST IRON COUNTY, 6-1, 6-0

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “I have to give our girls a lot of credit for staying focused today and playing solid tennis.  Yesterday, we had grinder of a meet versus Escanaba.  So, it would have been easy for our girls to come out flat after so many high energy matches yesterday, but they stayed the course and continued playing pretty good tennis.  Kyra Autio played a solid match at #4 singles.  She showed a lot of patience during some long rallies and was able to walk away with those key points.  All our doubles teams made it easy on me by playing fundamentally sound tennis today.  I think I only had one conversation with our double’s girls all day.  It is a very nice way to start a long holiday weekend.”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Girls Tennis team will be back in action on Wednesday, 9/6/23, when they host Munising for a dual meet starting at 4:00 p.m.

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

MARQUETTE 4, ESCANABA 4

Singles

• No. 1 – Sophia Derkos, ESCANABA def. Payton Bullock, MARQUETTE, 6-0, 6-1;
• No. 2 – Lucy Stern, MARQUETTE def. Molly VanDamme, ESCANABA, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2;
• No. 3 – Sam Korpi, ESCANABA def. Maya Griffin, MARQUETTE, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2);
• No. 4 – Maggie Martin, ESCANABA def. Kyra Autio, MARQUETTE, 6-3, 6-1;

Doubles

• No. 1 – Lexi Hammerstrom & Payton Pleaugh, MARQUETTE def. Natalie Williams & Molly Smale, ESCANABA, 7–5, 2–6, 7–5;
• No. 2 – Natalie Deneau & Maija Parkkonen, MARQUETTE def. Sam Manninen & Sonya Maki, ESCANABA, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4;
• No. 3 – Aubree Blackburn & Laura Barsch, MARQUETTE def. Val Royer & Sophie Wagner, ESCANABA, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4;
• No. 4 – Danni Hughes & Carly Bowden, ESCANABA def. Eva Sjoholm & Mylee Muscoe, MARQUETTE, 6-0, 6-2

From MSHS Girls Tennis Head Coach, Karl Thomsen:

• “Going back to last year, this is our third consecutive 4 – 4 draw with Escanaba. It was a very tightly contested match and super fun to watch. Our goal today, win or lose, was to be a little more resilient than we were in our previous outing, have a little more self confidence if things got bumpy. The girls accomplished that in a big way today. The team of Payton Pleaugh and Lexi Hammerstrom were a perfect example of showing mental toughness today. At one point in the 3rd set they were down 2 – 5 and Esky had triple match point. Payton and Lexi won 5 consecutive points and kept rolling to close out the match. We were also able to gut out three other 3-set matches, highlighted by great doubles play by Maija Parkkonen and Natalie Deneau at #2 doubles. I look at today’s matches and really like what I saw, but even more exciting is the girls are just beginning to see their potential. ”

Next Up:

• The MSHS Girls Tennis team will be back in action on Wednesday, 8/30/23, when they host West Iron County for a dual meet starting at 3:30 p.m.