LocalSportsJournal.com
KALAMAZOO – The North Muskegon girls tennis team finished in 11th place at the MHSAA Division 4 state finals.
The Norse posted 10 team points. Ann Arbor Greenhills ran away with the state title with 37 points. Greenhills had six state champions among the eight flights.
“The girls battled through 90-plus degree temperatures all day Friday against the best teams in the state and proved how tough they were mentally and physically,” said North Muskegon coach Cody Liverance. “Although we didn’t score as well as we hoped we would coming in, I can’t even begin to describe how proud I am of this group.”
Fia Lindsay made it to the semifinal round at No. 2 singles while Marilyn Gaston and Francine Vinson went to the quarterfinals at No. 1 and No. 3 singles, respectively.
The tandem of Ella Tarrant and Anna Toebe advanced to the quarterfinals at No. 1 doubles.
Despite the 11th-place finish, the Norse left their own mark on the tournament.
“I had numerous people, including the tournament director and multiple line judges, compliment our girls on their sportsmanship, attitude, and overall demeanor compared to other schools in attendance,” said Liverance. “It made me pretty emotional hearing people who’ve never met our kids before say that based on a first impression of them as people and competitors.”
North Muskegon results
No. 1 Singles
Round of 32
Marilyn Gaston def. Rylee Lewis (Ovid-Elsie) 6-1, 6-2
Round of 16
Marilyn Gaston def. Cienna Maristela (Warren Regina) 6-2, 6-1
Quarterfinals
Maddie Morgan (Ann Arbor Greenhills) def. Marilyn Gaston 6-1, 6-0
No. 2 Singles
Round of 16
Fia Lindsay def. Alexandra Larrea (Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett) 6-3, 6-1
Quarterfinals
Fia Lindsay def. Amelia Verbrugge (Grand Rapids Catholic Central) 6-1, 6-3
Semifinals
Shangyang Xia (Ann Arbor Greenhills) def. Fia Lindsay 6-1, 6-2
No. 3 Singles
Round of 16
Francine Vinson def. Claudia Haouilou (Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(4)
Quarterfinals
Kenna Trost (Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard) def. Francine Vinson 6-2, 6-0
No. 4 Singles
Round of 16
Kathryn Berg (Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart) def. Allie Sanocki 7-5, 6-3
No. 1 Doubles
Round of 16
Ella Tarrant/Anna Toebe def. Audrey Hirschman/Caroline Shaheen (Saginaw Nouvel) 6-1, 6-4
Quarterfinals
Brenna Cavanaugh/Elizabeth Harris (Wixom St. Catherine) def. Ella Tarrant/Anna Toebe 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 Doubles
Round of 16
Dani Holden/Tessa Hullinger (Niles Brandywine) def. August Carefelle/Jaci Patrick 1-6, 6-2, 6-3
No. 3 Doubles
Round of 32
Claudina Dilegge/Katherine Regnerus (Warren Regina) def. Sage Brewer/Emmi VanWyck 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
No. 4 Doubles
Round of 32
Hannah Ripple/Jasmine Rottman def. Lou Grablick/Jacey Morgan (Frankenmuth) 7-5, 6-1
Round of 16
Ava Anderson/Willow Evans (Ovid-Elsie) def. Hannah Ripple/Jasmine Rottman 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
