The Saline Reporter
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Hornets get sweep at 'Midnight Madness'
Saline takes all eight singles matches, own 'top five' host Colts
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 20, 2008
After 18 months, the Saline girls' tennis team has picked up right where it left off.
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The Hornets kick-started their 2008 season with a pair of wins at the indoor Troy Midnight Madness meet last Saturday night in Troy. Saline downed the host Colts 5-3 and swept East Kentwood 8-0, going a perfect 8-0 in singles play on the night.
"We played well. It was a great way to kick off the season," said head coach Andy BeDell. "We got to try some different lineups, especially in doubles, and I was happy with what we saw."
As nice as the bagel dealt to East Kentwood was, the bigger development was the victory over Troy, one of the state's most consistent programs.
"They're always in the mix for the top five (at state)," BeDell said, "so it's encouraging we did that well against them."
Leading the way for Saline were their four singles players. Playing single sets to eight, Niki Shipman won at No. 1 singles 8-1; Bethany French 8-4 at No. 2; Casey Baxter 8-2 at No. 3; and Meghan Geiger 8-2 at No. 4.
The Hornets clinched the victory with an 8-2 win at fourth doubles from sophomore Julie Blackhall and freshman Shanna Cooper, each playing in their first full varsity match.
"I was very pleased with the way they played," BeDell said.
The Hornets were less fortunate in the other doubles matches against the Colts, with Miranda Vogt and Geiger falling at first doubles, Kate Wooliscroft and Sarah Sidlow at No. 2 doubles, and Dayani Waas and Alexandra Van Aaschen at No. 3 doubles.
But it was a very different story against East Kentwood. Vogt and Geiger rolled to an 8-2 win, followed by Wooliscroft and Sidlow's easy 8-1 win at second doubles, Waas and Blackhall's hard-fought 8-5 win at No. 3 doubles, and Cooper and Catherine Bernard won fourth doubles 8-3.
Singles play was more of the same as Shipman won 8-1 at first singles; French dominated 8-0 at No. 2; Baxter cruised 8-2 at No. 3; and Kelli Tice put up her own 8-0 bagel at No. 4.
BeDell said he wasn't surprised given the work the Hornets had put in during the preseason.
"We're in good shape conditioning-wise," BeDell said. "The good start to the season can also be attributed to Travis Pointe Country Club allowing us access to their indoor courts. Both our tennis programs consider Travis Pointe their indoor home."
Saline's next competition will be April 5, also at Troy.
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