Congratulations, girls! Division 4 State Champions!
Congratulations to the WHS Varsity Girls on their Division 4 State Championship!
State champions. Williamston 21 points, North Pointe Christian 18 points, Kalamazoo Chrisitian 16, Kalamazoo Hackett 16, University Liggett 15, Lumen Christi 14, Portland 14, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard 13, Niles Brandywine 13, Almont 12, Grandville Calvin Christian 11; Flint Powers 9, Lansing Catholic 9 (12 place); Battle Creek Pennfield 8, Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart 6, North Muskegon 5, Frankenmuth 4, Madison Heights Bishop Foley 4, Traverse City St. Francis, 4, Ann Arbor Greenhills 2, Grand Rapids West Catholic 1, Saginaw Nouvel 1, Bridgman 0, Dowagiac 0, Essexville Garber 0, Midland Bullock Creek 0.
Champions: 3rd doubles-Olivia Green/Erin Donovan (5 points), Finalists: 1 doubles Anya Nikolai/Sarah Vogel 4 points; 2 doubles Sandra Suryak/Katherine Noren 4 points; 4 doubles Erin Graham/Aubree Barton 4 points
Other points: Tiffany Ash (2), Miranda Vorce and Mattie Nelson (1 each). (21 total).
(Click photo below for high resolution version of image)
Girl’s Tennis in the 2008 State Tournament May 30-31
The brackets are available here! All the singles and 1 doubles will play all of their matches at MSU’s outdoor courts (weather permitting). 2, 3, 4 doubles will play their first rounds at Okemos then move to MSU.
Hint: If you view the file below on Slideshare, you can do a full screen view to make it easy to read!
Williamston at 2008 Regionals
The Williamston girls’ tennis team traveled to Portland on Thursday, May 15, 2008, to compete in the MHSAA regional tournament. The lady hornets returned with their third consecutive regional championship by winning 26 team points. Portland finished second with 21, Lansing Catholic finished third and also qualified for the state finals with 19 points. The rest of the nine team field finished as follows: Chesaning 12, Alma 7, Leslie 5, Ovid-Elsie 4, Ithaca 3, and Durand 1.
“I think this result might establish the Williamston Tennis Program as one of the best in the area,” said varsity coach Steve Stanley. “This region is very tough to win. Jim (Niebling, Portland) and Cindy (Hollenbeck, Lansing Catholic) are very good and very experienced coaches. Our girls had to play very smart and very consistently to win the regional this year,” he added. “Should we do well at the state finals part of the credit will go to the competition these coaches and their players provided us during the season, in the CAAC White league championships and today at the MHSAA regional tournament,” he concluded.
The Hornet team came away with five of the eight regional flight championships. Tiffany Ash at one singles, Allyson Nash at two singles, Anya Nikolai and Sarah Vogel at one doubles, Erin Donovan and Olivia Green at three doubles, and Erin Graham and Aubree Barton at four doubles. Taking runner up wins were Miranda Vorce at number four singles and Katherine Noren and Sandra Suryak at number two doubles. Adding a point for the Hornets with her first round win was Mattie Nelson at number three singles. Coach Steve Stanley also received the honor for the third consecutive year in being named the Girls’ Regional Coach of the Year.
The number one ranked Hornets will next compete at the MHSAA state finals which will be held at the tennis courts of Michigan State University on Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31, 2008.
Williamston Invitational
The Williamston Hornets tennis team hosted a three team invitational on Saturday, May 10, 2008. The visiting teams were 10th ranked Jackson Lumen Christi and Essexville-Garber. The Hornets won the tournament with 12 points, Jackson Lumen Christi finished second with 7 points and Essexville-Garber had 5 points.
The tournament format was a round robin in which each team’s flight played the other two teams’ flights so it was a double dual tournament as well. In the dual match ups Williamston defeated Jackson Lumen Christi 6-2 and Essexville-Garber by the same 6-2 score.
The faces of the Hornets’ tennis players were tired but they displayed the satisfaction that comes from winning a tough tournament following CAAC championship match play just the day before. “The girls were all pretty worn out,” said Coach Steve Stanley. “When we originally scheduled our Invitational the league championships were supposed to be on Thursday, giving us a day to rest. When they moved them to Friday I knew this would be a grueling phase of our schedule,” he continued.
“This is what the state finals are like, though,” added assistant coach Dan Slider. “You play two tough matches on Friday and then have to come right back to play the finals the next morning. The girls showed they have the mental and physical toughness that it takes to win under those conditions,” he said.
Winning the gold medals for the Hornets by finishing first in their flights were Tiffany Ash at one singles, Allyson Nash at two singles, Anya Nikolai and Gabby Meijer at number one doubles, Sandra Suryak and Katherine Noren at number two doubles, Olivia Green and Erin Donovan at number three doubles, and Erin Graham and Aubree Barton at number four doubles. Placing third for the Hornets were Mattie Nelson at number three singles and Miranda Vorce at number four singles.
The Hornets are now 13-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play.
Prep Tennis: Williamston Invitational
Team scores:
Invitational results:
Williamston 12, Jackson Lumen Christi 7, Essexville-Garber 5.
Dual match results:
Williamston 6, Jackson Lumen Christi 2
Williamston 6, Essexville-Garber 2
Jackson Lumen Christi 5, Essexville Garber 3
Singles: Ash (W) d. Griffin (J) 6-0, 6-0; Nash (W) d. Fodor 6-1, 6-2; Berkerneier (J) d. Goldstein (E) 7-5, 6-2; McHugh (J) d. Freed (E) 6-4, 7-5.
Doubles: Meijer-Nikolai (W) d. Dardas-Piorkowski (E) 6-1, 3-6, 6-6(4); Noren-Suryak (W) d. Hunter-Schubert (E) 6-2, 6-1; Donovan-Green (W) d. Brewster-Kennedy (J) 6-0, 6-2; Barton-Graham (W) d. Monville-Studley (E) 6-4, 6-2.
CAAC White Division Championship at Portland
The Williamston girls’ tennis team traveled to Portland to compete in the CAAC White Division championships and returned with a first place finish and the league title for the second straight year. The Lady Hornets captured the league championship by finishing first in the dual match round robin season and capping it off by finishing first in the league championships on Friday, May 9, 2008.
“This has been a big week for the Williamston Tennis Program,” said varsity coach Steve Stanley. “We learned on Thursday that the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association ranked our team number one in Division 4,” he continued. “That added both a new level of confidence in our players but also a heightened sense of pressure to prove we were worthy of that ranking,” he said. “The girls’ came out and played solid tennis today and took another step forward in our season,” he concluded.
The Hornets accumulated 37 points to finish ahead of Lansing Catholic and Portland who tied for second with 27 points. Lakewood finished fourth with 20 points and Corunna ended the day in fifth place with 9 points.
“I thought we played our very best tennis ever in the finals,” said Katherine Noren, senior and member of the number two doubles duo with Sandra Suryak. “We hit really good shots that were consistently on target,” she added. “We didn’t play as well in the semi-finals, but I was really happy with our finals match,” she concluded.
John Bragle, JV coach for the Hornets summed up the day by saying, “I felt we played very well and perhaps even exceeded expectations given that we had a junior varsity player (Gabby Meijer subbing in for absent Sarah Vogel who is attending an out of state school conference). I was impressed with their win in the first round and for giving Portland a good scare in the finals, losing in three sets,” he concluded.
Taking home first place medals were Tiffany Ash at number one singles, Allyson Nash at number two singles, Katherine Noren and Olivia Green at number two doubles, Olivia Green and Erin Donovan at number three doubles, and Aubree Barton and Erin Graham at number four doubles. Winning silver medals for their second place finishes were Mattie Nelson at number three singles, Miranda Vorce at number fours singles and Anya Nikolai and her substitute partner Gabby Meijer at number one doubles. All twelve players will be named All Conference, which is also a feat achieved for the second consecutive year.
Congratulations Girls! WHS Tennis ranked #1 in the state!
According to the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association Spring Ranking 2008, as of May 5 Williamston is ranked as the #1 Division 4 team in the state of Michigan. Congratulations girls! And congratulations and thank you coaches!
Williamston vs. Ann Arbor Greenhills
The Williamston Girls’ tennis team successfully met another challenge today by defeating a very good Ann Arbor Greenhills tennis team on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, by a match score of 5-3. Mark Randolph, the varsity coach for Ann Arbor Greenhills was impressed with the play of the Hornets, “I think this team is the best team in Division 4. We just played the number three ranked team, Gross Point University Liggett, and the second ranked team Riverview Gabriel Richard and I think the Williamston girls are better,” he added. “Especially their doubles teams,” he continued, “ they play shoulder to shoulder and attack the net very effectively,” he concluded.
The match victory was sealed in a tense three set match won by Tiffany Ash at number one singles. “My calf muscles and toes were cramping,” said Tiffany. “I could feel them when I tried to make a quick step and I was afraid my legs wouldn’t work, but I just kept going and was glad I won.” The crowd was watching every point and one side or the other would erupt in cheers when a point went one way or the other. Tiffany lost the second set in a tiebreaker 8-6 and then came back to win her opponent’s service game with the score 4-1 after having 6 game points. She then consolidated the break of serve and won the match for the Hornets by a score of 6-1.
Also, winning a tense three set match were seniors Sandra Suryak and Katherine Noren at number two doubles. “Coacher came over and told us we should follow Genghis Kahn’s advice after winning a key point or game which is to ‘tighten your helmet strap after winning a battle,’” Sandra said. “That really worked for us as we kept our focus and didn’t let down when we got ahead,” she concluded. Sandra and Katherine won the first set 6-3, lost the second 2-6 and then sealed the victory with a 6-3 third set.
Winning at number three doubles were Olivia Green and Erin Donovan and at number four doubles were Erin Graham and Aubree Barton. Also, winning a number one doubles were Anya Nikolai and Sarah Vogel. Losing were singles players Allyson Nash, Mattie Nelson and Miranda Vorce.
The Hornets are now 11-2 in dual matches and 4-0 in the CAAC.
Prep tennis Williamston 5, Ann Arbor Greenhills 3
Singles: Ash (W) d. Su 7-6(5), 6-7(6), 6-1; Lusk(A) d. Nash 6-1, 6-4; Sykes (A) d. Nelson 6-3, 6-3; Hogykian (A) d. Vorce 6-4, 7-5
Doubles: Nikolai-Vogel (W) d. Jimbo-Lillard 6-2, 6-1; Noren-Suryak (W) d. Hemert-Colwell 6-3, 2-6, 6-3; Donovan-Green (W) d. Swaroop-Jenkins 6-3, 6-1; Barton-Graham (W) d. Wang-Presley 6-0, 6-1
Records
Williamston 11-2 ,CAAC 4-0
Ann Arbor Greenhills 1-5-1
Williamston vs. Pennfield
On May 5th the Williamston girl’s tennis team traveled to Pennfield to play another top ten Division One opponent. The Lady Hornets came away with a convincing 7-1 win. “The score doesn’t tell the entire story,” said Coach Stanley, “the Pennfield girls deserve their number 8 ranking. There were two three set matches and tie breakers on three courts. This was a close match,” he added. “Our players were smart today, they played the big points with poise, made great strategy adjustments and demonstrated excellent tennis skills,” he ended. The Hornets improved their season dual record to 10-2.
Tiffany Ash led the way with a three set win at number one singles. Allyson Nash followed with a two set victory at number two singles after struggling in the second game of the second set. “I told Coacher I wasn’t feeling very well after the first set,” said Allyson. “He suggested I inhale through my nose and exhale through my mouth. I think I did that too many times as I got faint and started seeing black spots,” she said.
“She’s right,” said Coacher. “It was definitely my fault,” he laughed. “Fortunately, John (the Pennfield coach) was really good about it and gave Allyson a chance to sit down, eat a little and regain her strength. Her opponent was really nice about it as well. Allyson finished strong winning the second set 6-2.
Miranda Vorce won her match at four singles in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5.
The doubles teams swept through the match with Anya Nikolai and Sarah Vogel winning at number one doubles, Sandra Suryak and Katherine Noren at number two doubles, Olivia Green and Erin Donovan protected their undefeated season (15-0) at number three doubles; and Aubree Barton and Erin Graham won easily at number four doubles 6-1, 6-0. Mattie Nelson lost her match at three singles in three sets, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.
Singles: Ash (W) d. LaValley 5-7, 6-0, 6-2; Nash (W) d. Driscoll 7-6(4), 6-2; Willis (P) d. Nelson 6-3, 2-6, 6-0; Vorce (W) d. Dregne 6-2, 7-5.
Doubles Vogel-Nikolai (W) d. Goll-Barnard 7-6(5); Noren-Suryak (W) d. Shook-Cowham 6-2, 7-6(1); Green-Donovan (W) d. Troutman-Jones 6-3, 6-3; Barton-Graham (W) d. Pike-Patel 6-1, 6-0
Williamston vs. Portland
The Williamston girls’ tennis team traveled to Portland to take on the Raiders in the final dual match competition in the CAAC White Division. The Hornets returned home with a hard fought but decisive victory 6-2. The win completed the sweep of the division with four consecutives wins setting up the league championships on May 9, 2008. “This is another very well coached Williamston tennis team,” said Portland varsity coach Jim Niebling.
Tiffany Ash led the way again from her number one singles position completing her undefeated conference season 6-1, 6-1. Allyson Nash did the same from her number two singles position defeating her opponent 6-2, 6-0. The number three doubles team of Olivia Green and Erin Donovan continued their undefeated season with a solid 6-3, 6-1 win in Portland. The duo is now 14-0 on the season.
The two swing matches were number three singles and number four doubles. Mattie Nelson, sophomore at number three singles won her first set easily 6-1. In the second set her opponent started coming in on Mattie’s second serve and took a commanding 5-0 lead. “She really improved her game and didn’t give me as many easy points in the first five games of the second set,” said Mattie. Then Mattie started hitting the ball a little harder and hit the corners making her opponent move hit the ball on the run from deep in the court. That turned the tables and Mattie rolled off seven straight games winning the second set and the match 7-5.
The number four doubles team of Erin Graham and Aubree Barton won their first set 6-2, but then lost a very hard fought second set 4-6. “We just couldn’t stop hitting it right to them at the net,” said Aubree. “We took a long walk after losing that second set,” said Erin. “That really helped us get our heads straight.” The girls returned to the court and won the deciding third set 6-3.
The number two doubles team of Katherine Noren and Sandra Suryak lost a tough three set match 7-5, 4-6, 7-5. Miranda Vorce lost her match at number four singles 7-6(4), 6-2.
The junior varsity also defeated Portland’s JV 6-2.
Mason Invitational
The tennis Lady Hornets continued their winning ways on a very cold and windy day in Mason and Holt on Saturday, April 26, 2008. They traveled to Mason and then split up the flights playing half the matches at Holt and the other half at Mason in the Mason Lady Bulldog Invitational tournament. The Williamston team returned home with a hard earned second place trophy.
“The teams in this tournament were very good,” said Rich Ash, parent of Tiffany who plays number one singles for the Hornets. “Four of the eight teams were Division I teams, and another, B. H. Andover is ranked sixth in Division III,” he continued. “To place second in that field is very good result,” he concluded.
B. H. Andover won the first place trophy with 37 points. Division 4 Williamston and Division 1 school Grand Blanc tied with 31 points for second, a Division 2 school, Mattawan finished in fourth with 30 points, followed by another Division 1 school, Holt in 5th , with 21 points, host school Mason in 6th, with 17 points, Flint Powers in 7th with 13 points and South Lyon completing the field with 7 points.
“I was impressed with the play of all the flights,” said assistant coach Dan Slider. “Number three doubles Olivia Green and Erin Donovan were amazing today,” he added. “They played a very tough three set match against Andover that many people mentioned to me that they thought was the match of the day. The play was tough and every point mattered. First Williamston and then Andover would forge ahead, only to have the match turn around again. Olivia and Erin found a way to win that match and set them selves up for their first place finish and well earned first place medals,” he concluded.
Finishing with second place medals for the day were Tiffany Ash at number one singles, Sandra Suryak and Katherine Noren at number two doubles and Erica Krantz and Kourtnee Barton at number five doubles. Winning a third place medal was Allyson Nash at number two singles. Placing fourth at number three singles was Mattie Nelson. Placing fifth were Sarah Vogel and Anya Nikolai at number one doubles and Erin Graham and Aubree Barton at number four doubles. Finishing in seventh place was Miranda Vorce at number four singles.