BY PAUL KAMPE
Clarkston News Staff Writer
For the second consecutive year, the Clarkston Wolves girls tennis team headed to the state finals in Midland. And for the second year in a row, they returned with a victorious singles player. Also, for the third year, the girls made a top-ten team finish.
Nicole Janek, who captured the no. 4 singles as the second seeded freshman in 2005, finished off Amy Rothstein from West Bloomfield 6-3, 6-1 for the victory in no. 3 singles.
Wolves Coach Craig Judd said after Janek won the first set, she seized the opportunity and won the second set decisively.
Janek is similar to a tiger, Judd said, because of her focused determination and great footwork.
‘She’s fierce,? Judd said.
The Wolves earned 14 points at the event, tying with Troy for seventh place. Ann Arbor Huron, last year’s runner up, captured the crown with 27 points, and last year’s champion, Ann Arbor Pioneer, was second with 23 points.
No. 2 singles player Darylann Trout, seeded third, finished in fourth place after being eliminated by second seed Niki Shipman of Saline, 6-2, 6-4.
‘All of our doubles teams and singles players played with great determination,? Judd said.
Judd was proud of the team’s finish to the season, only one point away from a tie for fifth place, the Wolves? season-long goal.
The Wolves? seeding may have been a factor in the two-day tournament, Judd said.
‘That’s tough. To get as many points as we did, that’s remarkable,? he said.
‘We had a competitive first match, but many second matches were against the number one seed in the state.?
Personally, Judd received the Coach of the Year Award for region seven, an accomplishment the first year varsity coach said would be memorable.
‘I wasn’t expecting to get coach of the year in my first year. I took it as a big honor,? he said.
The Wolves will lose four of their senior players going into next season, but the experience of the remaining members should help the team, Judd said.
‘Eight of the girls next year will have gone to play at the state finals’they know the routine.?
The team worked very hard this season, Judd said.
‘They did everything that was asked of them.?
Judd wished to thank Geraldine Parkison, who Judd said became an assistant coach at some matches, as well as the parents of all the team members for their dedication this season.