By Staff
EAST LANSING – The Buchanan Bucks finished 15th at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Tennis finals held at Michigan State University over the weekend.
"We are so thrilled!," Buchanan coach Steve Bender said. "Finishing ahead of 10 other teams in a season where we realistically were just happy to qualify is way better than imagined."
Bender said that the strength of the team by the end of the year was its doubles squads and they showed it at the finals.
Max Gorton and Holly Lucas lost in the quarterfinals to Ann Arbor Greenhills at No. 2 doubles, while at No. 3 doubles, Tyler Toney and Tyler Siebert upset Flint Powers in the first round before falling to the No. 3 seed, Grosse Pointe University Liggett in three sets.
At No. 4 doubles, Zack Devereaux and Kevin Watson also reached the quarterfinals before falling to No. 4 seeded Liggett.
"Our team peaked at the end of the year and that is all we can ask," Bender said. "The state finals was a difficult tourney to play. Through three rain delays, moving inside on Friday night, and back outside to a windy Saturday made things complicated. A huge credit goes to our assistant coaches Ned Gardner and Matt Thornton, as the tourney was spread out to four indoor facilities."
Division 4 State Tennis Finals
At Michigan State University
Team Scores
1. Grosse Ile 28; 2. Ann Arbor Greenhills 21; 3. Lansing Catholic 20; 4. Flint Powers Catholic 17; 5. Essexville Garber 16; 6. Portland 15; 7. Jackson Lumen Christi 14; 8. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 11; 8. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett 11; 8. Williamston – 11; 11. Saginaw Nouvel 9; 12. Whitehall 7; 13. Kalamazoo Christian 6; 13. Parchment 6; 15. Berrien Springs 5; 15. Bridgman 5; 15. Buchanan 5; 15. North Muskegon 5; 15. Traverse City St Francis 5; 20. Almont 4; 21. Richmond 3; 22. Elk Rapids 2; 22. Kalamazoo Hackett 2; 24. Manistee 1; 25. Grandville Calvin Christian 0; 25. Harbor Springs 0