While the cold spring had many sports cancelling events, the Clarkston Girls Varsity Tennis team stayed inside at Deer Lake Athletic Club as they hosted their first tournament last Friday.
They finished the Deer Lake Tournament in first place with 11 points. Port Huron Northern took second with ten points and Mercy, third with six points.
‘It’s exciting to start out strong,? said Coach Becky Freeman. ‘I was impressed considering we hadn’t put doubles teams together before. We just made some decisions. Our line up is not complete. We will be tweaking and making some changes.?
She added it helped as a confidence booster especially since it was against two tough teams.
‘To come out on top is good,? Freeman said. ‘I think it gives them that little bit of hunger and little bit of edge to keep striving for victories and going for our ultimate goal.?
The Lady Wolves went undefeated in four courts – Singles #1, Singles #2, Singles #3 and Doubles #1.
Freeman explained the doubles team in court one with senior Paige Olsen and freshman Alexandra Whall was close against Port Huron.
It was the same doubles team the Lady Wolves went against in the state finals last year. Clarkston beat them last year and Whall and Olsen beat them again.
‘It could have gone either way,? Freeman said. ‘It was a tight match. For our girls to prevail for the first time playing together was surprising and a relief. I was proud of them.?
She added it was a huge win for Whall for her first competition as a freshman.
‘I know she is a good player but match play is different than practice,? Freeman explained. ‘I was very impressed by Alex’s ability to go out there competitively. The match was amazing. She is going to be a great player. I hope she sticks around for four years.?
The Lady Wolves return from break on April 9 as they head to Detroit Country Day, 4:30 p.m. They host Seaholm on April 11 in their first home meet, 4 p.m.
* * *
The Clarkston Boys Varsity Lacrosse team also scored their first victory in their season opener against Utica Eisenhower, 17-7.
Connor Ward led with six goals and five assists. Reid Kaminski and Andrew Williamson scored three goals a piece.
The boys return from break for their home opener against Notre Dame Prep on April 11, 7:30 p.m.