The Cedar Springs girls tennis team defeated Sparta 5 matches to 3 on April 11. Winning were Anna Frausin and Kristen Bull at #2 and #3 singles, and #1 doubles Megan Brunett and Shannon Leal in straight sets. #2 Doubles Jessica Blackmer and Katie Schumann also won in straight sets, and #3 Doubles Molly VanSeggern and Bailey Wolfe in 3 sets.

The Red Hawks then took on Fremont on April 13, winning 8-0. Paige Gebhardt, Cedar’s #1, led the singles girls with a 6-0, 6-0 win against her Fremont opponent. Anna Frausin, Kristen Bull, and Samantha Alger the #2, 3, and 4 girls, also turned out good performances by defeating their opponets.

Cedar Spring also swept the doubles with Megan Brunett and Shannon Leal winning 6-2, 6-2 at #1, Jessica Blackmer and Katie Schumann, the #2 doubles winning 6-1, 6-1, the #3’s Bailey Wolfe and Molly VonSeggern besting their opponents 6-2, 6-2, and finally at #4 doubles, Julie Schut and Monica West winning 6-4, 6-3. After these wins, the team was 4-0.

The team participated in the Sparta Invitational on April 14, where they were edged out by one point by winner Coopersville. They played state champs Forest Hills Northern, on Tuesday, April 17, and were defeated 8-0.

Row 1: Kristen Bull, Katie Schumann, Molly VonSeggern, Monica West, Jessica Blackmer, Paige Gebhardt, Anna Frausin Row 2: Hannah Sommer, Bayley Wolfe, Samantha Alger, Shannon Leal, Megan Brunett, Molly McCarthy, Sam Durkee Row 3: Coach Kennedy, Kellsie Rypma, Tamara Tiethoff, Cortney O’Brien, Julie Schut, Isabela Miranda, Beth Bullen, Seana Pursley, Coach Russel Not in Picture: Emma Balsby

The Cedar Springs girls tennis team has a renewed line-up this season after losing 7 of 12 starters to graduation last year. “The returning players are going to have to step up and compete in the top spots vacated by last year’s seniors,” said Coach Jerry Kennedy.

Three juniors and one sophomore—Paige Gebhardt, Jess Blackmer, Samantha Alger, and Kristen Bull—will be challenging to fill the top spots. Kennedy said all four girls have developed sound ground strokes and have what it takes to compete in the upper section of  the line-up. Joining them are Megan Brunett and Shannon Leal, both sophomores, who were a winning pair at 4 doubles last year. “The new freshmen and last year’s JV players will all be a factor in the formation of the renewed team,” said Coach Kennedy.

Team starts out winning

The girls tennis team won their first two matches of the season, Saturday, March 24, defeating Rogers 8-0, and Grant 5-3, at Rockford’s MVP Athletic Club. Cedar Springs singles players Paige Gebhardt #1, Anna Frausin #2, Samantha Alger #3, and Kristen Bull #4, won all of their singles matches for the day, to give the Red Hawks a sweep in the singles. The #4 doubles team of Julie Schut and Monica West won both of their matches with close scores. Megan Brunett and Shannon Leal (#1 doubles), Jessica Blackmer and Katie Schumann (#2 doubles), and Bayley Wolfe and Molly VonSeggern (#3 doubles) all finished with one win and one loss for the day.

The team will take on Sparta on April 11.

Row 1: Beth Bullen, Aiyana Plank.Row 2: Amber Dunham, Sam Alger, Brittany Lenardson, Jessica Naffziger, Ellen Pike, Brooke Gust, Kristen Bull, Mackenzie Frederick, Amber Barnes, Jessica Blackmer, Paige Gebhardt. Row 3: Coach Russel, Molly VonSeggern, Alexis Robinson, Tranaya VerStrat, Molly McCarthy, Monica West, Samantha Durkee, Megan Brunett, Shannon Leal, Seana Pursley, Coach Kennedy.

The Cedar Springs Red Hawks Varsity  Tennis team has been steadily improving their stats as the season slowly begins to warm-up in weather and match results. This past week, the varsity girls defeated Coopersville, Sparta, and swept West Catholic. The season has not been weather friendly, and two Saturday tourneys and some non-league matches had to be canceled. Practice was often indoors or outside in some blustery conditions. Despite this, the varsity has posted a respectable 5 wins 3 losses and 2 ties for the season. The league tournament is this Saturday, with regionals at Ludington on May 19.
Playing #1 singles is Brooke Gust. She is currently 2nd in the league and has a dual record of 9-2. She has added some pace to her game and mental toughness that has enabled her to maintain a high level of play. Following Brooke in the lineup is seniors Mackenzie Frederick at #2, and Brittany Lenardson at #3 singles. Mackenzie has 8 wins and 3 losses, and Brittany is 9-2, with a 5-match winning streak. Both play with great patience and are able to adapt their games to defeat different types of opponents. Senior Ellen Pike is #4 singles, and is a 2nd year player that gives the team a valid competitor at #4.
The doubles teams are led by seniors Amber Dunham and Jessica Naffziger. The #1 girls have five match wins with the latest against West Catholic, coming back from a 5-2 deficit to win 7-5, 6-0. They have improved each week, like the whole team, with top results. Following are #2 doubles Paige Gebhardt and Samantha Alger, with a 5-2 record and 4-match win streak. They have sound ground strokes and that inner drive to compete at a top level. Jessica Blackmer and Kristen Bull make up #3 doubles are on a 6-match win streak. Jess, a sophomore, and Kristen, a freshman, blend together well and complement each other with their skills in competition. Below them at #4 doubles are freshmen Megan Brunett and Shannon Leal. They have 4 match wins, with the latest 6-0, 6-0 against West Catholic. Following them are the #13 and #14 girls senior Amber Barnes and freshman Samantha Durkee.
The team has some big challenges ahead being positioned in 3rd place in the OK-Rainbow conference after duals. The team need to have a good day at conference on Saturday, May 14. The tennis year, despite the weather disappointments, has been one of gradual improvement in tennis skills and match competitiveness. Coach Kennedy credits his captains jess Naffziger and Brooke Gust for their leadership, and the rest of the seniors—Amber D., Brittany, Mackenzie, Ellen, and Amber B. for helping to move the team forward this year.