By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - In a key match up between two of the favorites to capture the Division 4 regional tennis championship next week, the Dowagiac Chieftains and Brandywine Bobcats battled in non-league competition.
When all was said and done, neither team could claim victory as they settled for a 4-4 draw at Plym Park.
Dowagiac swept the singles flights, while the Lady Bobcats swept the doubles flights.
The two teams shared the regional championship last year with Buchanan and split the Brandywine Invitational championship two weeks ago.
Dowagiac had a chance to pick up the victory, however, the Lady Bobcats were able to pull out three-set victories at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles.
Brandywine also captured a hard-fought victory at No. 2 doubles.
Lisa Rubino, Ann O'Keefe and Amelia First won in straight sets at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 singles. Taylor Townsend rallied for a three-set victory at No. 3 singles.
Rubino defeated Amy Konopinski 6-1 and 6-2, while O'Keefe defeated Aubrey Espick 6-0 and 6-0. Espick replaced the injured Erin Sinkoff at No. 2 singles. Sinkoff played No. 2 doubles on Tuesday.
Townsend defeated Amelia Harrison 6-1, 5-7 and 6-1, while First defeated Brittney Patterson 6-3 and 6-1.
First turned in a workman-like effort despite being ill.
In doubles play, Bethany Daniel and Ashley Valentine defeated Calie Daniels and Lindsay Tyler 2-6, 6-2 and 7-5.
At No. 2 doubles, Sinkoff and Jamie Bartuska defeated Ashley Smith and Kim Rutkowski 6-3 and 7-5.
Erin Fuson and Samantha Quartuccio defeated Tonya Scherer and Kelly Urbanski 6-3, 3-6 and 6-3.
At No. 4 doubles, Morgan Bailey and Jo Ferenczi defeated Kate Duszynski and Kayleigh Sundman 6-2 and 6-0.
Dowagiac…4
Brandywine…4
Singles
1. Lisa Rubino (D) d. Amy Konopinski 6-1, 6-2; 2. Ann O'Keefe (D) d. Aubrey Espick 6-0, 6-0; 3. Taylor Townsend (D) d. Amelia Harrison 6-1, 5-7, 6-1; 4. Amelia First (D) d. Brittney Patterson 6-3, 6-4
Doubles
1. Bethany Daniel/Ashley Valentine (B) d. Calie Daniels/Lindsay Tyler 2-6, 6-2, 7-5; 2. Erin Sinkoff/Jamie Bartuska (B) d. Ashley Smith/Kim Rutkowski 6-3, 7-5; 3. Erin Fuson/Samantha Quartuccio (B) d. Tonya Scherer/Shelly Urbanski 6-3, 3-6, 6-3; 4. Morgan Bailey/Jo Ferenczi (B) d. Kate Duszynski/Kayleigh Sundman 6-2, 6-0
Varsity records: Dowagiac 5-3-1, Brandywine 11-0-1