Despite losing more than half his squad to graduation from last year, Dowagiac girls’ tennis coach Curtis Partee won his opener 5-3 over Wolverine Conference rival South Haven.

“Seven seniors were on the team that qualified for state last year after scoring 11 points in the regional. Thirty four girls came out with the most ever (27) being kept to play on varsity and junior varsity,” noted Partee. “We looked decent in our scrimmage and had the best practice of the year on Monday.”

New to the program and playing No. 1 singles will be junior Hope Daniel, who outlasted senior Sarah Seiler of South Haven 6-4 and 6-2.

“We have high expectations and it won’t be easy for Hope Daniel at the top of singles,” Partee pointed out.

Junior Jessica Holmes and sophomore Kristina Bunn of the Chiefs prevailed at No. 3 and No. 4 singles respectively, with the former beating South Haven’s Melyssa Rodgers in three (6-4, 2-6 and 7-5) sets for what proved to be the winning match. Bunn beat frosh Shannon Kelly by a score of 6-1 and 6-0.

Number two singles is played by lone Dowagiac senior Shannon Keene, who got beat by junior Madison Griffin in a closely matched 5-7 and 3-6 encounter.

“Shannon Keene moved from No. 2 doubles to No. 2 singles and is fired up for this year being the only senior, plus she is a real good leader by always being positive,” praised Partee.  “We have a very young, hard working, positive and practice hard team as they are all focused on getting better.”

Dowagiac won the No. 3 and No. 4 doubles with freshmen Madison Proshwitz and Rebecca Luth winning 1-6, 6-3 and 7-6 (7), along with sophomores Easton Preston and Erin Corey capturing the final doubles position by 6-4 and 6-2 scores.

The No. 1 doubles team of juniors Jessica Martin and Megan Hornburg also had three sets to play, but was defeated by Jane Nixon and Stephanie Olivas of South Haven by scores of 2-6, 7-6 (7) and 4-6.

Juniors Cambrea Gordon and Audrey Gruber of South Haven beat junior Erica Greenwood and sophomore Sydney Foote at No. 2 doubles by identical 6-3 scores.

South Haven…3

Dowagiac…5

Singles

1. Hope Daniel (D) d. Sarah Seiler 6-4, 6-2; 2. Madison Griffin (SH) d. Shannon Keene 7-5, 6-3; 3. Jessica Holmes (D) d. Melyssa Rodgers 6-4, 2-6, 7-5; 4. Kristina Bunn (D) d. Shannon Kelly 6-1, 6-0

Doubles

1. Jane Nixon-Stephanie Olivas (SH) d. Jessica Martin-Megan Hornburg 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-4; 2. Cambrea Gordon-Audrey Gruber (SH) d. Erica Greenwood-Sydney Foote 6-3, 6-3; 3. Madison Proshwitz-Rebecca Luth (D) d. Sarah Darling-Rebecca West 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(7); 4. Easton Preston-Erin Corey (D) d. Zanita Robinson-Katherine Conde 6-4, 6-2