The Lady Wolves continued their winning tradition on the tennis court for the third consecutive year as they won the MHSAA Regional Title, sending them to the state finals this Saturday.
‘It was tremendous,? said Clarkston Girls Varsity Tennis Head Coach Becky Freeman. ‘I was proud. It was a true team effort and we have been focusing on team. I was excited. All the girls made it to the finals – every flight.?
Claiming first place on the singles courts with wins over West Bloomfield were Lexi Baylis, defeating Raven Neely, 6-0, 1-6, 7-5; Isabella Spindler, defeating Aerielle Pendleton, 6-2, 7-5; and Dana Olsen, defeating Sara Cahn, 6-0, 6-2. Katie Hubregsen finished in second place with a loss to Farmington Hills Mercy’s Jessie Guindi, 6-0, 6-0.
Paige Olsen and Alex Whall won their championship with a win over Laker Gillian Meyers and Sammy Dean, 6-2, 6-2.
Double teams MacKenze Bedor and Monique Zentner; Amy Brozovich and Jordan Stuart; and Mackenzie Sowers and Caitlin McCaghy finished in second place.
‘We didn’t win them all but to come in first or second in every single flight was very promising moving forward,? Freeman said. ‘That’s what we need to be thinking and doing.?
The team finished regionals scoring 28 points to take the title. Farmington Hills Mercy finished in second with 24 points.
As the girls prepare for their trip to the Midland Community Tennis Center for the finals, Freeman said the dedication the girls have put into their practice and matches this season will help them.
‘After practice some girls go and hit some more,? she added. ‘They are very dedicated and focused on their tennis right now which is good.?
Another key to their preparation is they have already faced the toughest teams in the state – not only in the OAA Red but in tournaments.
‘We seek out the toughest competition,? Freeman said. ‘Therefore we are prepared for what we are about to see.?
All the Lady Wolves on the singles courts have a bye for the first round. Baylis will compete against the winner from the Kalamazoo Central/Ann Arbor Pioneer match. Spindler will face off with the Northville/Ann Arbor Pioneer winner; Dana will play the Troy Athens/Hudsonville winner and Hubregsen will play Northville.
For doubles, Paige and Whall will compete against the Hudsonville/Troy Athens winner for their first match. Bedor and Zentner as well as Stuart and Brozovich play their first match against Novi; and McCaghy and Sowers play against Traverse City Central.
‘Anything can happen at states,? said Freeman. ‘We keep hitting and keep preparing. We just have to go out there and fight.?