By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Brandywine varsity tennis team captured its fourth consecutive Lakeland Conference Tournament championship on Friday and claimed a share of the league title with Edwardsburg.
The Lady Eddies were undefeated in the dual matches, but with the win by the Lady Bobcats in the conference tournament, Brandywine earns a share of first place.
The Lady Bobcats split the singles championships with Edwardsburg and won three out of four doubles titles to amass 44 points.
The Eddies finished second with 41 points, while Buchanan was third with 31, Bridgman fourth with 28, Coloma fifth with 17 and Cassopolis sixth with eight points.
Winning championships for the Lady Bobcats were Brittney Patterson and Ariel Prescott at No. 2 and No. 4 singles respectively.
Doubles titles went to Jamie Bartuska and Jo Ferenczi, as well as Lauren Leonard and Brooke Ford.
Bartuska and Ferenczi defeated Buchanan's Brianne Weldy and Mary Martin 3-6, 6-2 and 7-5 at No. 1 doubles, while Lauren Leonard and Brooke Ford defeated Lauren Clark and Christina Boesler of Edwardsburg, 7-5, 4-6 and 6-4.
"We had to pull Lauren out of gym class and get her some breakfast this morning because Kyla Molica couldn't play due to a sore back," Brandywine coach Joe Marazita said. "They beat the No. 1 seed to give us the winning points. That's one for the ages."
Bartuska with her championship set a new career victory total at Brandywine High School with 81.
Bartuska and Ferenczi are 22-0 on the season. Bartuska is now 81-12 in her career, passing Amy Konopinski (79-17).
"With a successful showing at regionals, Jamie will become just the second Brandywine tennis player to earn all-conference and all-regional for all four years on the varsity," Marazita said.
Edwardsburg picked up championships at No. 1 and No. 3 singles with freshmen Abby Watkins and senior C.C. Roberts.
Watkins defeated Brandywine's Amelia Harrison 6-2 and 7-5, while Roberts defeated Brandywine's Aubrey Espick 4-6, 6-2 and 6-2.
The Lady Eddies Allison Funkhouser and Katie Dutoi were the champions at No. 3 doubles after defeating Bridgman's Greta Englund and Megan Haugh 6-2 and 6-1.
Lakeland Conference
Tennis Tournament
Team Scores
Brandywine 44, Edwardsburg 41, Buchanan 31, Bridgman 27, Coloma 17, Cassopolis 8
Dual Meet Standings
Edwardsburg 5-0, Brandywine 4-1, Buchanan 3-2, Bridgman 2-3, Coloma 1-4, Cassopolis 0-8
Championship Flights
Singles
1. Abby Watkins (E) d. Amelia Harrison (BW) 6-2, 7-5; 2. Brittney Patterson (BW) d. Mirium Agudo (E) 6-2, 6-4; 3. C.C. Roberts (E) d. Aubrey Espick (BW) 4-6 6-2, 6-2; 4. Ariel Prescott (BW) d. Amanda Pietrzak (E) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
Doubles
1. Jamie Bartuska-Jo Ferenczi (BW) d. Brianne Weldy-Mary Martin (BU) 3-6, 6-2, 7-5; 2. Lynette Earl-Nichole Coshow (BW) d. Cassie DeMerchant-Kirsten Slack (E) 6-1, 6-4; 3. Allison Funkhouser-Katie Dutoi (E) d. Greta Englund-Megan Haugh (BRI) 6-2, 6-1; 4. Lauren Leonard-Brooke Ford (BW) d. Lauren Clark-Christina Boesler (E) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
Consolation Flights
Singles
1. Courtney Miller (BU) d. Amanda Kluggs (BRI) 6-1, 7-6(2); 2. Jill Bender (BRI) d. Kristine Gordon (BU) 6-3, 6-3; 3. Joey Dreitzler (BU) d. Stephanie Kaltz (BRI) 6-3, 6-2; 4. Kirsten Smallwood (BU) d. Amber Timm (CO) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
1. Ellie Layman-Samantha Wells (BRI) d. Jenee Atoniu-Ashley Maschke (E) 0-6, 6-4, 6-2; 2. Taylor Henry-Nash Hughes (BU) d. Jasmine Gipson-Kesley Jakeway (BRI) 6-2, 6-3; 3. Katie Irons-Ashley Light (BW) d. Sam Haner-Ashley Devereaux (BU) 6-2, 6-3; 4. Aleischa Sheperd-Marina Ivanova (BU) d. Lindsey Clements-Emily Kamp (BRI) 6-2, 6-3