By Staff
The Buchanan varsity tennis team captured its fifth straight Division 4 Regional title Friday afternoon and, in turn, will make its 12th straight trip to the State Finals.
The Bucks, ranked No. 3 in Division 4, scored 30 points to capture the regional title. The meet started at Leeper Park in South Bend, Ind., but had to be moved to the South Bend Racquet Club and Lakeland Athletic Club in Niles when storms stopped outdoor play.
Parchment finished second with 23 points and Paw Paw took third with 17.
Buchanan won three singles flights and three doubles flights. The Bucks also took second in the remaining two flights.
At No. 1 singles, Buchanan's Jose Gonzalez beat Berrien Springs' Andrew Lewis 6-1, 6-0 to win the title.
At No. 2 singles, Buchanan's Jeff Eifler beat Nate Brussee of Parchment 6-2, 6-1 to win the flight.
True Sulier, a Buchanan freshman, beat Parchment's Eric Brussee 6-0, 2-6, 6-3 to win the No. 3 singles flight.
Paw Paw's Corey Powers beat Buchanan's Ryan Skene 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the No. 4 singles title match.
The Buchanan No. 1 doubles team of Chad Van Lue and Doug Summers beat Parchment's Nate Bonney and Bryan Nordquist 6-0, 6-1 to win the title.
At No. 2 doubles, Parchment's Ken Pratt and John Hodgkinson beat Alex Gordon and Alex Flood of Buchanan, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, to win the final match.
The Buchanan No. 3 doubles team of Mike Otwell and Korey Camp beat Joe Larson and Matt Richards of Parchment 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (3) in the title match.
Buchanan's Dustin Sieff and Andrew Gordon beat Parchment's Royal Russell and Matt Maycroft 6-2, 6-1 to win the No. 4 doubles title.
The Division 4 Tennis Finals will be held Friday and Saturday, June 4-5, in Holland.
Buchanan coach Steve Benderand Cassopolis coach Scott Marshall shared the title of Regional Coach of the Year, an award voted on by all of the coaches in the region.
Division 4 Regional Tournament
Buchanan 30, Parchment 23, Paw Paw 17, Berrien Springs 11, Edwardsburg 9, Lake Michigan Catholic 6, Coloma 4, Bridgman 4, Cassopolis 2, Brandywine 2, Eau Claire 1
Championship round
Singles:
1. Jose Gonzalez (BU) beat Andrew Lewis (BS) 6-1, 6-0; 2. Jeff Eifler (BU) beat Nate Brussee (PAR) 6-2, 6-1; 3. True Sulier (BU) beat Eric Brussee (PAR) 6-0, 2-6, 6-3; 4. Corey Powers (PAW) beat Ryan Skene (BU) 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3.
Doubles:
1. Chad VanLue/Doug Summers (BU) beat Nate Bonny/Bryan Nordquist (PARCH) 6-0, 6-1; 2. Ken Pratt/John Hodgleinson (PAR) beat Alex Gordon/Alex Flood (BU) 3-6, 6-2, 7-5; 3. Mike Otwell/Korey Camp (BU) beat Joe Larson/Matt Rinhodr (PAR) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (3); 4. Dustin Sieff/Andrew Gordon (BU) beat Royal Runzy/Matt Maycuff (PAR) 6-2, 6-1