Williamston Tennis

Lansing, MI.  “What a great match and day for both teams,” that was how varsity coach Phil Brillantes summarized the match between the sixth ranked Williamston Hornets and the number two ranked team in the state, Lansing Catholic.  The two tennis powerhouses battled to a 4-4 tie.

Peter Sienko won 6-0, 6-1, at number one singles, at 2nd singles Ian Sheets won 6-1,6-1, Brett Graham won 6-2,7-5 at number three singles.  At number four Nathan Fedewa lost a very tough match in three sets 1-6, 6-2, 7-5.

The number one doubles team of Bartrem/Taylor lost 6-1, 6-1, as did 2nd Doubles – Frenzel/Bennett 7-5, 6-2 and 3rd Doubles of Hall/Johnson 6-1, 6-2 4th Doubles – Pueppke/McGuire won 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

4th Singles and 4th Doubles were the last two matches out there, and it could have gone either way, but the 4th doubles team kept their composure and was able to finish them off to tie LCC.

“It wasn’t a win, but shows how much we have progressed this season, but more importantly, the players realize how much more they need to work to even consider being state champions,” said Coach Brillantes.  “We know we can compete with the best, but in order to be the best, we still have to keep working and never take a win or a loss for granted!,” he concluded.

Williamston, MI.  The nine Williamston JV tennis players also fought for a hard earned tie against Lansing Catholic on Thursday, September 11.  After captain Billy Schlenke asked for a moment of silence to remember the lost Americans in the 9/11 attacks, the two teams went out and played the six very close regular flight matches.

E.J. VanAllsburg controlled much of the match with his slicing left handed serve, but his opponent at number one singles started to find his rhythm and made a late match charge.  E.J. adjusted his game by returning serve and attacking the net pulling out the victory 8-6.

Likewise, the number one doubles team which featured Billy Schlenke partnering up with Scott Evans for the first time this season, surged out to an early lead only to see the Cougar number ones make a late game surge.  The Hornet pair righted the ship and pulled out a victory by winning in the tie breaker 7-4.  “We had been holding Billy’s serve pretty easily until we were serving for the win at 6-5,” said Scott.  “It took a little longer, but we got it in the tie breaker,” he said.

Also winning in a tiebreaker was Richard Kerley at number two singles.  “I don’t like tiebreakers because I have been losing them lately,” Richard said, “but when I was down 5-6, Coach Stanley told me I should look forward to getting into the tiebreaker so I could win the match.”  Richard won the tiebreaker 7-4.

The number three doubles team of Nathan Clark and Alex Mullen secured the tie with a solid victory.  Drew Payton and Ian Campbell fell behind early in their number two doubles match, rallied for a few games before losing 8-3.  Matt Silverthorn lost in the number three singles flight to round out the regular match schedule.

Winning in the forfeited number four doubles match were Drew Payton and Ian Campbell and winning in the forfeited number four singles match was Alex Mullen.

“I thought the guys showed a lot of heart today,” said Coach Stanley.  “A number of the flights could have given up when they were challenged or got behind, but they fought for every point, stayed focused, and pulled out the tie,” he added.  “With only nine players it is really hard to win an eight flight match, but the guys show a great attitude by approaching each match as an opportunity to get better at their games,” he concluded.