INDEPENDENCE TWP. — Clarkston Girls Varsity Tennis headlined their new region last Thursday, dominating state tournament bound Rochester and Rochester Adams to a 23-1 record on the day, winning the MHSAA Division 1 Region 7 championship by a heavy 9-point margin at Clarkston High School.
“It was a banner day for Clarkston, headlined by freshman Kayla Lemke (on Singles Flight No. 3) who played her first golden match at the high school level,” said head coach Mary Jo Colonna, adding a golden match is an entire match in which the player doesn’t lose a single point. “The enormity of this accomplishment cannot be understated, and for it to come at regional championships only reinforces what we have set out to demonstrate all season. We are hungry for the opportunity to show everyone what we are made of; our depth, our power, and our commitment to each other and our team.”
The Wolves finished as regional champions in seven out of eight flights and one runner-up.
Freshman Sydney Geisz went 3-0 on Singles No. 2 Flight with victories over Waterford United’s Alyssa Albrecht, 6-0, 6-0; Rochester’s Emma Bardas, 6-2, 6-0; and Rochester Adams’ Katie Fu, 6-1, 6-4 in the championship round.
Freshman Kayla Lemke went 3-0 on Singles No. 3 with wins over Waterford United’s Brie Stahowski, 6-0, 6-0; Lake Orion’s Addison Rybak, 6-1, 6-0; and Rochester Adams’ Elisa Benedict, 6-0, 6-0 in the championship round.
Junior Charlotte Partchenko went 3-0 on Singles No. 4 with wins over Lake Orion’s Angelina Bailo, 6-0, 6-0; Lapeer’s Sara Henry, 6-0, 6-1; and Rochester Adams’ Christina Arthurs, 6-2, 6-1 in the championship round
Junior Leah Geisz went 2-1 on Singles No. 1 with wins over Davison’s Quincy McLean, 6-1, 6-0; Rochester’s Ellie Meluta, 6-0, 6-1; and lost to Rochester Adams’ Nicole Fu in the championship round, 6-3, 6-2.
Juniors Kate Ketzler and Ginger Robinson went 3-0 on Doubles No. 1 Flight with wins over Oxford’s Bella Rushlow and Alivia P’Simer, 6-2, 6-0; Lapeer’s Vanessa Carr and Zoe Lomerson, 6-1, 6-0; and Rochester’s Cece Crandall and Carol Brust Arima, 6-1, 6-0 in the championship round.
Senior Katarina Fisher and junior Ava Henkel went 3-0 on Doubles No. 2 with wins over Lapeer’s Carlie Lange and Lauren Kelts, 6-0, 6-0; Lake Orion’s Sydney Small and Alexa Christenson, 6-0, 6-1; and Rochester Adams’ Emma Heughens and Ava Hanley, 6-2, 6-1 in the championship round.
Senior Lauren Sielinski and sophomore Lana Sloan went 3-0 on Doubles No. 3 with wins over Davison’s Emersyn Erway and Kelsey Whalen, 6-0, 6-0; Oxford’s Madeline Delaney and Sami Yocum, 6-0, 6-0; and Rochester Adams’ Myah Trame and Vittoria Fiorini, 6-2 , 6-1 in the championship round.
Juniors Lilly Stephenson and Abby Finnerty went 2-0 on Doubles No. 4 with wins over Lake Orion’s Mindy Quinn and Ana Mahaud, 6-1, 6-1; and Rochester’s Natasha Forbes and Victoriya Yatskovey, 6-1, 6-1 in the championship round.
The Wolves finished in first place with 23 total points; Rochester Adams, second, 14; Rochester, third, 10; Lake Orion and Lapeer, tied for fourth, four points; and Oxford, sixth, one point.
Assistant Coach Nikole Carlson shared, “having bested Bloomfield at last year’s state finals to finish third overall, Clarkston was looking forward to this year’s regional competition. However, due to some changes from Division 1 to Division 2 for other teams, regions were redrawn. This year’s new region included Rochester, Rochester Adams, Davison, Lapeer, Lake Orion, Oxford, Waterford United and Clarkston.
The Wolves head to the MHSAA Division 1 Girls Tennis State Championship in Midland, May 31 and June 1.
-Compiled by Wendi Reardon Price

  Clarkston Athletics, girls tennis