From staff reports

NILES – The Dowagiac tennis team may have had some new faces in new places for its season opener on Saturday, but the Chieftains pulled together to win the Brandywine Indoor.

Dowagiac finished with 17 points to overtake host Brandywine and South Haven, both of whom finished with 14 points.

Constantine finished fourth with four points.

The Chieftains don’t have a single player in the same position from last year’s state qualifying team, but it didn’t seem to matter.

“It was very, very intense,” Dowagiac coach Curtis Partee said. “All of our players are in new positions. We played some good tennis at times and some not so good tennis at other times. But we have some things to build on and we will start working on those tomorrow (Monday) in practice.”

Dowagiac won three out of the four singles championships and finished second in the other flight.

In doubles play, the Chieftains finished second in three out of the four flights and took third in the other flight.

Winning championships for Dowagiac were Macy Howard, Maggie Cripe and Casey Collins at first, third and fourth singles respectively.

Marquira Smith finished second at No. 2 singles.

Finishing second at No. 1 doubles were Alyssa Greenwood and Breneesha Jones, while taking second at No. 2 doubles were Shannon Keene and Rachel Petro.

The No. 4 doubles team, also a runner-up, consisted of Allyson Flewelling and Elizabeth Schaefer.

Finishing third at No. 3 doubles was the team of Jessica Holmes and Christina Bunn.

Brandywine’s Alyssa Robbins captured the No. 2 singles title, while the Bobcats took first at No. 1 doubles with Lauren Leonard and Lena Miles.
Brandywine also earned first place efforts at No. 2 doubles with Carlie Rankel and Audrey Simmons and No. 3 doubles with Katie Robbins and Ashley DeJonge.

“Considering we didn’t have our full team, I thought we played very well and was pleased that we came away with four flight champions,” Brandywine coach Joe Marazita said. “Carly and Audrey just cruised and I liked the way Brittany and Alyssa competed. I think once our kids are able to focus on tennis and make all the practices, we are going to be fine.”

Brandywine Indoor
Team scores
1. Dowagiac 17; 2. Brandywine 14; 3. South Haven 13; 4. Constantine 4

Flight champions
Singles
1. Macy Howard (Dowagiac); 2. Alyssa Robbins (Brandywine); 3. Casey Collins (Dowagiac); 4. Maggie Cripe (Dowagiac).

Doubles
1. Lauren Leonard-Lena Miles (Brandywine); 2. Cvarlee Rankel-Audrey Simmons (Brandywine); 3. Katie Robbins-Ashley DeJonge (Brandywine); 4. Cambrea Gordon-Madi Griffin (South Haven).