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.
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.
Williamston vs. Lansing Catholic
Williamston 7, Lansing Catholic 1
Singles: Ash, (W) d. M. LaBlanc 6-2, 6-2; Nash (W) d. Japinga 6-2, 6-2; Cuison (L) d. Nelson 6-1, 6-4; Vorce (W) d. E. LaBlanc 3-1 (ret.);
Doubles: Nikolai-Vogel (W) d. Laskey-Moreau 6-0, 6-1; Noren-Suryak (W) d. J. Kurowski-Cisneros 6-4, 6-3; Green-Donovan (W) d. Cummings-Spagnuolo 6-3, 6-1; Graham-Barton (W) d. LaBuda-H. Kurowski 6-0, 6-2
Team records:
Williamston 8-2, CAAC 3-0
Williamston vs. Lakewood
The Williamston number tennis girls’ traveled to Lakewood for their CAAC White Division season opener on Tuesday, April 15, 2008. The Hornets dominated the match sweeping all flights in the regular and exhibition matches. “These girls are tenacious,” said Coach Steve Stanley. “They were behind on a lot of courts and they just made some adjustments in either technique or strategies and turned the matches around,” he continued. “I was particularly impressed with three flights,” he said, “the number four doubles team of Aubree Barton and Erin Graham struggled in the beginning but found their footing and starting hitting their targets consistently 7-5, 6-1.”
“I was also pleased with Mattie Nelson at number three singles,” he said, “She is coming back from a pretty serious bout with mononucleosis so we were all interested in her stamina and how she would do,” Stanley said. “She lost the first game and then rolled to a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win,” he said. When asked how she felt, Mattie smiled and quoted Nietzsche, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
The third flight that impressed the coach was Miranda Vorce’s effort at the number four singles position. Miranda won the first set 6-4 and then quickly fell behind in the second set, 1-4. “Miranda showed me a lot today,” said Stanley. “She got herself in trouble by not moving her feet and stopping in no man’s land,” he added. “Then she regained her focus and won a very thrilling second set tiebreaker 8-6,” he said.
Also winning for the Hornets were Tiffany Ash at number one singles, 6-0, 6-0; Allyson Nash at number two singles 6-0, 6-2; Sarah Vogel and Anya Nikolai at number one doubles, 6-1, 6-2; Sandra Suryak and Katherine Noren at number two doubles 6-0, 6-3; and Olivia Green and Erin Donovan at number three doubles, 6-2, 6-4.
Winning exhibition matches for the Hornets were Cassy Voss at number five singles 6-3, 6-3; and Kourtnee Barton and Erica Krantz at number five doubles, 6-2, 6-4.
Williamston vs. East Lansing
The East Lansing Trojan girls’ tennis team traveled to Williamston and left with a solid 6-2 victory over the Lady Hornets. “This was a great test for our team,” said Hornet coach Steve Stanley, “East Lansing is a great Division 2 tennis team from top to bottom. They are very well coached and have a lot of players who belong to a tennis club. So it was a great measure of where we are and what we have to do to get better.”
The two really bright spots for the match were the number one and number three doubles teams. Sarah Vogel, senior captain and her partner sophomore Anya Nikolai had to play their best to come out victorious in a tight 6-3, 6-4 match. “They were good,” said Sarah, “but we played smart and found a way to win it.” Senior Olivia Green and sophomore Erin Donovan also notched a victory at number three doubles with the same score, 6-3, 6-4. “The first two games we were just in awe of how good they were,” said Erin Donovan, “then Olivia just said, ‘Hey, we can win this’ and we settled down and played great.”
Tiffany Ash lost at number one singles 6-0, 7-6(2). “Tiffany really started hitting the ball hard in the second set and really gave her senior opponent a run for it,” said Coach Stanley. “That was a great effort. Tiffany was coiling and getting excellent rotation on her ground strokes,” he added.
Allyson Nash, hitting at second singles lost 6-0, 6-1. Miranda Vorce lost at three singles, 6-0, 6-0. Cassy Voss lost at four singles, 6-1, 6-3. The number two doubles team of seniors Sandra Suryak and Katherine Noren, put up a fight but succumbed, 6-2, 6-4. Also, losing for the Hornets was the number four doubles team of junior Erin Graham and sophomore Aubree Barton, 6-0, 6-2.
The Hornet junior varsity squad traveled to East Lansing and returned with a hard fought victory 5-3. “The star of the match was Gabby Meijer at number two singles,” said junior varsity coach John Bragle. “She came back so many times I thought she was a letter with insufficient postage,” he laughed. “Gabby lost the first set 6-4 and was behind in the second but fought back to force a tie break and then winning it 7-6(4) to force a third set super tiebreak,” he added. Gabby then clinched the victory by winning the super tiebreak 10-7. Not be outdone, the Hornet’s number three singles player Gilly Cobb took her match to three sets as well winning 6-4, 4-6, 10-6. “Gilly just played every point and really showed me something today,” said Coach Bragle. Also winning matches for the Hornets were the doubles teams of Erica Krantz-Kourtnee Barton at number one doubles, 0-6, 6-3, 10-4 and Ali Wallace-Carrie Donohoe at number two, 6-1, 6-3; and number four doubles Andrea Krantz-Kelsey Ellsworth 4-6, 6-4, 10-3. Losing matches for the Hornets were Audrey Porter at number one singles 6-2, 6-0; Jacqui Schrote at number four singles 6-2, 6-2; and Casey Shipman-Annelise McGoff at number three doubles 6-2, 6-1. Winning exhibition matches for the Hornets were Caroline Lupini (two matches), and the doubles team of Caitlin Geyer-Kathryn Kendall also winning two matches. Losing an exhibition match was the doubles team of Callie Risch-Amber Wilson-Daeschlein.
Williamston vs. Lakewood
The team completed the regular season schedule by traveling to Lakewood for the final CAAC White Division dual match. The Hornets entered the match in second place, having defeated Corunna and Portland but losing to Lansing Catholic. Again player availability, injury and illness were to play key roles in the outcome. Brad Walters was playing soccer again, so Ryan McGuire got the call to step in at number four singles. Ben Taylor was nursing his strained hip flexor and wasn’t able to move as well as usual at number two singles. The match started on Lakewood’s six courts. The number three doubles team of Curtis and Andrew breezed through their match winning easily, the number two doubles team of Patrick Belanger and Bryan Kendall won a close first set tie breaker and then easily won the second set against a retreating Lakewood doubles team. Ben fought valiantly, but could not pull out a win at second singles. The number four doubles team of Robert Gillespie and Brian Sanborn won a close first set tie breaker but lost the second set. Kyle Bartrem won the first set but lost the second. Ryan McGuire lost his first set and was tied in the second 5-5 when the thunder rolled and the lightning was seen on the horizon. The match was suspended for the day.
The team returned to finish the five matches on Thursday. Unfortunately, Robert Gillespie went home sick from school and so the team had to forfeit the number four doubles match. That started the day with each team having won two flights with four flights to play. Peter Sienko defeated a very good exchange student from Brazil at number one singles giving the team a 3-2 lead. Kyle Bartrem swept through his deciding third set to bring the squad to the verge of victory 4-2. That left the fate of the match in the hands of J.V. player Ryan McGuire and the number one doubles team of Nathan Fedewa and Zach Frenzel. Ryan rallied to win the second set 7-5. Nathan and Zach lost the first set, but rallied as well to a 6-2 victory in the third set. Then, the rains came again. The team huddled on the bus as the short shower passed and the courts dried enough for play to continue. The remaining matches seesawed back and forth, but in the end, the Hornets lost the two remaining matches and had to settle for a tie for the day.
Williamston vs. Haslett
Congratulations on a 6-2 win - great playing, guys!
Williamston vs. Corunna
Congrats on an 8-0 win!