By Mark Blentlinger
After finishing as runner up at regionals last season, the Schoolcraft girls’ tennis team was ready to carry home the trophy this year. They did that, beating out Brandywine, Berrien Springs, Bronson, Buchanan, Coloma, Dowagiac, Bridgman and New Buffalo. Brandywine was the closest to the Eagles, scoring 26 total team points, but the Eagles with 28 points brought the trophy home to Schoolcraft.
Along with winning the team Regional championship, there were three individuals and one doubles team that were also Regional champions; #2 singles Abby Blodgett, #3 singles Anisha Kersten, #4 singles Maya Pearce and #2 doubles team Annika Varker and Kelsey Feddema. Sophomore Maya Pearce is the only repeat champion. Pearce was last season’s #4 singles Regional champion.
The team was to play on May 31 and June 1 for the state championship. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd singles will be competing at Kalamazoo College, while #4 singles and all the doubles teams will be in action at Western Michigan University.
The regular season saw 9 wins and 4 losses, with individuals posting some impressive records themselves. 1st singles, Grace Deyoung, finished with a 14-8 record; #2 singles, Abby Blodgett, with 14-3; #3 singles, Anisha Kersten, with 18-5 and #4 singles, Maya Pearce, with 15-6.
The doubles teams finished regular season: #1 doubles, Kayla Julian/Savanah McDonald with 8-11; #2 doubles, Annika Varker/Kelsey Feddema with 17-1; #3 doubles, Grey Buchheit/Elsa Peterson with 15-4 and #4 doubles, Hope Spencer/Jaice Parker with 12-6.