Gabby Spindler and Erica Zentner threw their tennis balls up into the air and poised their rackets as they descended back down.
They were practicing their serves on May 27 getting ready for the MHSAA Division 1 State Finals in Midland, June 4-5.
‘It’s going to be really tough,? said Spindler. ‘I am expecting everyone to give it their all, not just our team but other teams. We are fighting for the same thing. We are training pretty hard. The team can pull it together to win the state championship.?
On the other side of the courts sophomore Katie Brozovich and junior Kristina Lucas hit the ball between each other – anticipating their future opponents moves.
Brozovich goes into state finals undefeated which she feels puts her at an advantage.
‘I feel like I have a good shot of doing well at states,? she said. ‘I am mostly focusing on my own game and do what I can to get ready. I am working on a lot of my shots and working a lot with my team.?
Lucas goes in with only one loss during the season. A loss paralled to her sister’s visit to the finals in 2004.
‘Alyssa was like me. She had lost a match and was seeded lower than one,? said Kristina. ‘She just went out there, thought she would win and she did.?
Kristina is focused on continuing the family tradition and bringing home the state championship.
‘I am practicing harder than I was before,? she said. ‘I know my competition. The girl I lost to, I also beat before. Other girls I haven’t played but should be able to pull out with a win.?
Though the girls are ready for their competitors next move in the matches – they are working on their strengths and weaknesses.
‘I want to focus on my game but the only way to do that is to learn from my mistakes by playing other people,? said Spindler.
The girls qualified for states scoring 21 points at the regional competition on May 20.
‘I am really excited the team was able to pull it off this year,? said Brozovich. ‘It was a hard loss last year not to go.?
‘Even though we had ups and downs we pulled through and made it,? Kristina added.
The first round of brackets for Clarkston are:
Singles 1 – Spindler, seeded #5, bye for the first round and faces the winner of Troy-Athens and Utica Eisenhower match.
Singles 2 – Brozovich, seeded #2, bye first round and faces winner of Troy-Athens and Port Huron Northern match.
Singles 3 – Kristina Lucas, seeded #4, bye first round and faces Grosse Pointe South and Brownstown Woodhaven match.
Singles 4 – Abbey Hubregsen takes on Brownstown Woodhaven’s Diana Domingo.
Doubles 1 – Erica Zentner and Jordan Sheart go against Catharine Chou and Kathleen McBride from Ann Arbor Huron.
Doubles 2 – Monique Zentner and Alaina Nido versus Elaine Elliot and Patricia Bartlett, Midland Dow.
Doubles 3 – Anna Gencoy and Amy Wozniak versus Laurie Miedema and Jenna Bart, Hudsonville.
Doubles 4 Kelsey Crawford and Allie Wilson, bye first round and take on Marguerite Seraphinoff and Sanjana Kulkami, Troy-Athens.
‘I feel you can beat anyone when you put your mind to it,? said Kristina.