It’s not easy to qualify as a team for the state finals in high school tennis.
The Fruitport girls tennis team pulled it off, however. The Trojans finished second in the team standings in the Division 3 regional tournament at Holland Christian High School on Thursday and earned a berth to the finals.
The Trojans tied for second with Coopersville with 15 points. Holland Christian ran away with the regional title with 32 points. All three teams qualified for the finals.
There were nine teams competing in the regional tournament.
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The Trojans achieved their goal without having a champion in any of the eight flights. Instead they pulled it off by having at least one victory in every flight.
Two Trojans – Josalynn Nowicki (No. 1 singles) and Abby Poort (No.3 singles) – posted 2-1 records.
Nowicki defeated Coopersville’s Charlotte Kunnen 6-1, 6-0 and Ludington’s Ava Johnson 6-3, 6-2.
Poort beat Kenowa Hills’ Hailey Gardner 6-0, 6-0 and Coopersville’s Addison Banka 6-0, 6-4.
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Winning one match – and pushing the Trojans over the top – were Emma Fecher (No. 2 singles), Brystol Tenhove (No. 4 singles), Lena Saffell and Cara Hooker (No. 1 doubles), Rylee Rufener and Kaitlyn Tenbrink (No. 2 doubles), Jordan Smith and Ava Robinson (No. 3 doubles) and Journey Rufener and Candela Pena (No. 4 doubles).
“Each of the eight flights won and contributed to the team success in Holland,” said Fruitport head coach Brad Busscher. “The coaches are grateful for the opportunity to continue our season with such a fine group of girls.
“We are proud to coach these student-athletes who performed today like a determined team. The team looks forward to representing our school and community at the state finals.”
The Division 3 finals are scheduled for June 5-6 at the Midland Tennis Center.
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