The Portland Varsity Tennis team had 8 flights as the #1 seed in the CAAC-White tournament on Wednesday. The pressure to live up to those seeds fueled all 12 players to meet the challenge. The morning started with Portland having to sit the first round of matches while waiting for the 3-6 seeds to play and determine who their opponents would be in the second round. The intensity was high as Portland started to take the courts. Challenge 1: Win first round matches and make it to the finals. Challenge accepted and met! 

As the day progressed, Portland found all 8 flights in the finals. Meeting up with some new opponents (due to lineup changes throughout the season from most teams), Portland wasn't sure what to expect. Each player went out and gave 110%. Challenge 2: Win all 8 flight finals. Challenge accepted and met! Portland sweeps all 8 flights for the first time at the CAAC-White tournament! 

While Portland's sweep of all 8 flights is greatly attributed to all 12 players, special recognition should be given to our last 2 flights on court for clinching that sweep. 4 singles, Autumn Shimer, met up with Lansing Catholic in her finals match. Winning the first set with a little extra determination, Shimer found a bit more difficulty in her second set. Dropping the second set, Shimer went into the deciding third set with the patience needed by a 4 singles player. She knew she had to keep the ball in play and do her best to not make any mistakes. Shimer outplayed her opponent, winning the third set and capturing a league title in her flight.

There were a few lineup changes that had to be made earlier in the week for the Portland team. One change was welcoming two freshmen, Allyson Logel and Alexa Weber, into the mix as a new 4 doubles team. Logel and Weber have shown promise on the JV team and were eager to step into this varsity position. They did not disappoint, winning both of their matches and capturing a league title for themselves. Rather impressive for two players who have only been at a few varsity practices to prepare!

The day ended with an abundance of smiles for the entire Portland team. As they prepare for Regionals next Thursday, the week ahead has matches against Lakewood, Jackson Lumen Christi, and a tri meet with Holt & Haslett. 

Congratulations on an extremely successful day and for being the first Portland Girls Varsity Tennis team to sweep all 8 flights at the league tournament. 

FLIGHT WINNERS:
1 singles Kayla Weller

2 singles Alyssa Jack

3 singles Adriana Krieger

4 singles Autumn Shimer

1 doubles Maura Lufkin & Corey Smith

2 doubles Kara Kraczon & Bella Virk

3 doubles Xanthe Cross & Elizabeth Seavey

4 doubles Allyson Logel & Alexa Weber