In a loaded field at Saturday’s Allegan Invitational, the Sturgis girls tennis team finished fifth with 11 points, highlighted by a pair of runner-up performances.
Khushi Vakharia advanced to the finals at No. 1 singles, where she lost 6-0, 6-0 to Allegan’s Livia Christman. The No. 1 doubles team of Gretchen Inman and Stephanie Cressman also navigated their way to the championship, falling 6-1, 6-4 to East Grand Rapids’ Bridget Barrett and Jeanie Weinrich.
“What an amazing day of tennis,” Trojans coach Kendra Eicher said. “I am so proud of my team. “We took fifth in a very tough tournament, which is better than last year. This shows the growth we have had and the determination that we have.”
Elle Bowman was fourth at second singles, Stephenie Schuler placed seventh at third singles and Katie Flowers was sixth at fourth singles. Taylor Clark and Allison Harker ended the day in sixth place at No. 2 doubles, the tandem of Elizabeth York and Madeline Earl was seventh at No. 3 doubles and Ashley Snow and Lauren Lewis placed fifth at No. 4 doubles.
Allegan won the event with 20 points, followed by East Grand Rapids (19), St. Joseph (15) and Holland (11).
“I saw so many great matches and great effort today,” Eicher said. “I saw doubles teams bond and step up to new levels of play. I saw singles players push through physical demands and grow as players. I had two flights … that made it to the finals and played amazing matches against tough schools.”