By DON EDEN
Niles Daily Star

Brandywine claimed the top spot in six of the eight flights Saturday hosting their own tennis invitational at Plym Park with the team scoring 29 points compared to 21 for Comstock.

Third place went to Bronson with 17, which scored four more points than Constantine.
“We focused well with prom being later that day and with nine new kids this year I was real proud of their effort,” said Brandywine mentor Joe Marazita. “We got a late start due to the weather, but managed to play all the matches which was important of how hard we competed since this was our last tournament of the year.”

Sweeping all four of the doubles matches the Bobcats first two teams finished early as the No. 1 duo of juniors Kelsey Prestley and Lauren Leonard raced with seniors Nicole Coshow and Katie Robbins at No. 2 to see who could start the prom preparedness the earliest. The final twosome of junior Lena Miles and freshman Ashley Dejonge also took home first place medals.

Seniors Carlee Rankle and Audrey Simmons waited patiently as Brandywine went to state their previous years with strong contingents to make varsity and are capitalizing with a 9-1 record at No. 3 doubles.

“Both Carlee (Rankle) and Audrey (Simmons) are great kids who are first year players on the varsity who practiced together a lot last summer,” marveled Marazita. “They are like click and clack on knowing each other’s moves as they complement each other very well.”

Rankle mentioned she is happy “finally made it to varsity with Audrey who is going to Grand Valley with me next year and enjoying playing for coach (Marazita) who hardly yells, but teaches all the time on what we should do.”

“Coach (Marazita) is amazing because he knows exactly what to say to make us better,” added Simmons. “Me and Audrey are a very good team and we like to talk to each other as we know what the other thinks which gives us an advantage.”

Bobcat juniors won the No. 2 and No. 4 singles with Alyssa Robbins and Taylor Mattiford respectively taking home a top medal.

“I have definitely seen improvement throughout the year, because we are beating kids we lost to six weeks ago,” concluded Marazita.

Senior foreign exchange student Sterphanie Delvaux of Bronson won an exciting down to the wire match at No. 1 singles with the victor at No. 3 going to Chelsea Mazure of Comstock.

Brandywine Invitational
Team scores
Brandywine 29, Comstock 21, Bronson 17, Constantine 13

Flight champions
Singles
1. Stephanie Delvaux (BRO), 2. Alyssa Robbins (BW), 3. Chelsea Mazure (COM), 4. Taylor Mattiford (BW)

Doubles
1. Lauren Leonard-Kelsey Prestly (BW), 2. Katie Robbins-Nichole Coshow (BW), 3. Audrey Simmons-Carlee Rankel (BW), 4. Ashley DeJonge-Lena Miles (BW)