By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Some of the best Southwest Michigan high school athletes traveled south of the state line to Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. Monday afternoon for the first day of all-star action at Sports Fest 2007.
The cream of the crop of 2007 graduated seniors gathered for Monday afternoon action in girls' tennis, softball, volleyball and boys baseball.
On the softball diamond it was the Michigan All-Stars taking a 4-1 eight inning win over the Metro team to advance to Thursday's championship game at 5:30 p.m.
The Michigan team is coached by Edwardsburg High School coach Kenny Jankowski and will take on the winner of Tuesday's softball game between Indiana East and West.
Michigan's baseball team scored a run in the bottom of the eighth to break a 6-6 tie to take a 7-6 win and Brandywine coach Dave Sidenbender will bring his team back also on Thursday to take on the winner of East vs. West game on Tuesday.
The Michigan girls' tennis team fell to the Indiana Metro team 3-2. No. 2 singles Annalee Nelson (Niles) and No. 2 doubles team of Lane Blackmer (Lakeshore) and Erin Sinkoff (Brandywine) picked up the wins for the Michigan team.
Amy Konopinski (Brandywine) at No. 1 singles, Brittany Polmateer (Cassopolis) at No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles team of Megan Vylonis and Robyn Bahr dropped their decisions to the Metro team.
Tuesday's action will see the Michigan boys' tennis team take on Metro at 5 p.m., girls' basketball squaring off against Metro at 6 p.m. on the campus of Bethel College.
The Michigan girls' soccer team will take on Metro at Marian High School at 6 p.m.