KALAMAZOO ― A top-10 finish among two players advance to the final day made for a good weekend for the Lakeview girls tennis team.
Lakeview competed at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state tournament in Kalamazoo on May 30-31, and the Spartans finished 10th.
Maddy Simonds and Sade Blackwell both advanced to the state semifinals on Saturday after getting through the early rounds on Friday.
MORE: Lakeview girls earn slim victory to claim 18th straight All-City tennis crown
At No. 1 singles, after receiving a bye as the fourth seed, Simonds defeated Piper Coon of Berkley, 6-0, 6-0 in the second round. Simonds then defeated Daniella Ajao of North Farmington, 6-1, 6-3 in the third round.
In the semifinals, Simonds faced No. 1-seeded Dalina Kokoshi of Grosse Pointe South and lost 6-4, 6-1.
At No. 2 singles, Blackwell entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed. She swept Quinn Breslin of Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 6-0, 6-0 and then beat Olivia Kowal of Grosse Pointe South, 6-0, 6-1 in the third round. Blackwell fell in the state semifinals to Jada Josifovski of Birmingham Seaholm, 6-2, 6-2.
“It has been a great accomplishment for the program as we have gone to the state tournament the past four years in a row,” said co-coach Jeff VanDis. “The girls set a goal of finishing in the top 10 and to accomplish that says a lot about the character of these girls and the hard work they put in during the season.
“Coach (Stuart) Smith and myself are very proud to have been their coach this season.”
In the single-elimination tournament, Lakeview’s Emmy Ruger earned a win at No. 3 singles before falling in her next match.
The Spartans also earned single wins from three of its doubles teams before they were knocked out, getting points from Zoe Brizendine/Anya Foljahn at No. 2 doubles, Josie Pawlowicz/Malanie Young at No. 3 doubles and Lillie Miller/Kiera Ramirez at No. 4 doubles.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Lakeview earns a top 10 team finish at MHSAA state finals in girls tennis
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
