Feature Photo: Sacred Heart Takes First State Tennis Crown

The varsity tennis team celebrated the school's first state championship in Holland, Michigan last week. Three of the four doubles teams also won individual State Championships in their flights at 1, 3 & 4 doubles.

With only two seniors graduating last year, Coaches Jean Koehler with Judy Hehs used last season's second place finish in the finals (by just one point) as motivation to get the team peeking at the right time.

"That experience lit a fire in our players, and they worked hard throughout this season – and preseason, in fact," Koehler said. "Our players continue to become more disciplined, committed and, consequently, talented each season."

Here’s the breakdown of the team's performance:

• No.1 singles Jessica Davis and #4 singles Brenna MacArthur were quarterfinalists;
• No.2 singles Kelsey Hildebrand and #3 singles Tyler Papazian were semifinalists;
• No.2 doubles Elia Wilson and Hannah Gerard were finalists;
• No.1 doubles Kelsey Nagle-Emily Nash, #3 doubles Heidi Lemon-Sarah Spangler, and #4 doubles Kendall Lehmann-Teresa Walawender were all flight champions.