The Eagles varsity girls tennis team started off with a strong 2-0 record to begin the season on Friday. The Eagles proceeded to beat Holland Christian 7-2 and West Ottawa 7-2 at the WO Inv.

At #1 singles freshman Brynn Uchman cruised to her first two high school victories beating both opponents 6-0, 6-0 in convincing fashion. At #2 singles Junior leader Natalie Poortenga came out firing, beating HC 6-1, 6-2 and then had a closer 2nd match against WO to where she squeaked it out in a close 3rd set 10 point tie break. Props to Natalie as she was down 2-7 in the tiebreak and had the perseverance to come back and take the W even being one of the last matches on and everyone watching. At #3 singles Junior leader Alex Vermeulen improved throughout the match in an opening loss to WO and continued this improving and confidence mindset into beating HC 6-4, 6-2 in a very strong showing by Alex. At #4 singles Kaitlyn Schmitt played a good first match coming up just short to WO 4-6, 4-6 but then had an epic comeback against HC this time winning a close match 5-7, 6-4, 10-5 and got the W as the last match on court.

At #1 doubles Senior leader Hope Alvesteffer/Carolina Mignini utilized each other's strengths really well and played some really good tennis and beat HC in a close 7-5, 7-6. Then they took care of business against WO in convincing fashion. #2 doubles 2 senior leaders Ashley Wolfe/Marissa Sullivan barely broke a sweat beating both teams and only losing 6 total games on the day. #3 doubles Olivia Cook/Avah Jerke had a strong first match showing against WO winning 6-4, 6-3 and were beasts at the net. They then lost a close match against HC but after letting HC get control of the 2nd they proceeded to battle them back into a close 10-12 match 3rd set tiebreak loss but never gave up. At #4 doubles Betta Klein/Alexia Meeuwsen revenged their last season opening close loses by playing inspired tennis and winning two down to the wire matches. They beat WO 6-2, 7-6 and HC 6-3, 6-7, 10-6 in probably one of the longer matches on the day. At #5 doubles Frankie Volkema/Grace Brandt played two very close and competitive matches as well. Beating WO in comeback fashion 5-7, 7-6, 11-9 and also almost made another great comeback attemt but came up just short against HC 2-6, 7-6.

The Eagles had a strong showing to the start the season but have a lot of work to do and many practices to continue that growth in our game, as their next match day won't be until after spring break on 4/15 at the Allegan Inv. Go Eagles!