By Travis Smola
The Vicksburg varsity girls’ tennis team has had a solid start to the season with wins over Dowagiac, Eaton Rapids and Leslie.
The team has been forced to deal with less-than desirable weather conditions that have canceled multiple meets already this spring. However, Head Coach Warner Offord is excited by the potential of this year’s squad.
“This will be a fun season this year for us; I think we’re going to surprise a lot of teams,” Offord said.
The girls started the year strong with an 8-0 sweep of Dowagiac. In doubles action, Sydney Glerum and Sadie Grossman took the number ones, 6-0, 6-0. The team of seniors Alyssa Kaye and Clare Wilson won 6-2, 6-0 in the number two doubles. Number three doubles saw sophomores Clara and Savina Centofanti win 6-0, 6-0. In the number four doubles, Natalie Balkema and Avery Sands won soundly 6-0, 6-0.
In singles action, all the players took their respective matches 6-0, 6-0. Gracie Breitenbach won the number one singles. Scarlett Hosner took the number two singles as she attempts to carry on the Hosner family tradition in tennis. Karsen Brown took the number three singles and Anna Meschke took the number four singles.
The team beat Eaton Rapids 7-1 and Leslie 8-0 during a tri-meet. The team then lost a closer match to Hackett 3-5. They also lost 8-0 to perennial tennis powerhouse Allegan. Offord isn’t surprised Allegan is strong again this year. He said he also expects Sturgis and Edwardsburg to be tough teams in the Wolverine Conference. Still, he’s hopeful about his team’s chances.
“I think we should be in the middle of the pack,” Offord said. “If the girls come out and play, I think we should do good.”
