SHS tennis ends season at regionals
The Sturgis tennis season came to an end in the regional tournament on Saturday. Portage Central was the host for the Division 2, Region 9 tournament, which was won by Mattawan with 22 points. The host Mustangs also advanced to the state finals by piling up 20 points. The St. Joseph team also qualified for the state finals by reaching the required 18 team points at regionals.
Sturgis finished ninth in the regional round with three points.
Gracie Perry reached the semifinals for Sturgis at fourth singles.
She was the fourth seed in the regional and had a bye in the opening round. Perry then beat Taya Schanksi of Zeeland East 6-4, 6-1 in the next round. In the semifinals, Perry lost to top-seeded Sienna Watts of Mattawan 6-2, 6-1. Watts would win the regional title by beating Malea Lakey of Portage Central 6-3, 6-1 in the finals.
Sturgis won a match at third doubles as well. There, the team of Bella Currier and Rosa Soto won 7-6 (4) and 6-4 over Ava Storteboom and Mya Panse of Portage Northern. Sturgis’ duo then fell to top-seeded Emma Pratt and Madison Pratt of Mattawan in the next round 6-0, 6-1. The Pratt sisters would win the regional title, beating Kaley Schlipp and Madison Werk-Spitzer of St. Joseph in the finals.
In first singles play, Rylee Carver received a bye in the opening round. She then fell to Makenna Crandell of Byron Center 6-2, 6-2. Allison Wootton of Portage Northern beat Deshana Betala of Portage Central in the finals, 6-4 and 6-4.
In second singles action, Emily Schuller also received a bye in the opening round. She then fell to Faith Alvesteffer of Byron Center in the next round at 6-1, 6-1. Anna Dinsmore of Portage Central beat Ellie Fischer of St. Joseph in the finals, 6-3 and 6-0.
At third singles, Tess Scheske had a bye in the first round as well. She then lost to Anna Coleman of Mattawan in the next round at 6-4 and 6-0. Adelie Chen of Portage Central beat Lizzi Munster of Holland 6-2, 6-0 in the finals.
The first doubles team of Sturgis had a bye in the first round. Johanna Rooyakkers and Madison Golden then took on Simar Bhatia and Mindy Hueng of Portage Central in the next round, but lost 6-0, 6-0. Ceci Ruchti and Grace Yuan of St. Joseph beat Katie Richards and Addison Devos of Byron Center in the finals.
For second doubles, Sturgis’ team of Ava Stewart and Katherine Steele lost in the opening round to Anna Devries and Brooklyn Quillan of Zeeland West 6-4, 3-6 and 6-4. Ellie Dunn and Audrey Denhof of Byron Center beat Madison Engle and Evie Douglass of Mattawan in the finals, 6-2 and 7-6 (6).
Lauren Whitehead and Chloe Clark lost their opening match at fourth doubles. They were defeated by Evelyn Lewin and Nicole Souder of Holland 6-1, 6-3. Winning the regional title was the team of Leontine Bonutto and Reilie Netzley of St. Joseph, they beat Ava Vergara and Addy Copeland of Mattawan by scores of 7-5, 0-6 and 6-2.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: SHS tennis ends season at regionals
