Spartans net their first-ever state finals bid

TRI-CITY AREA — The Imlay City boys’ tennis team earned their first-ever trip to the state finals, accomplishing the feat with a tie for third at a Division 4 regional last Wednesday.

Grosse Pointe University Liggett is where the action unfolded.

The hosts (31 points) and Notre Dame Prep (25) took first and second, respectively.

Imlay City and Cros-Lex (14 points each) posted the next best team totals.

They will join Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett and Notre Dame Prep at the upcoming Division 4 state finals. That event will be contested October 20-21 at the Midland Tennis Center.

Five other schools competed testing their skills at the regional level. Their ranks consisted of Sandusky (nine points), Clawson (four), Almont (three), Armada (two) and Richmond (zero).

“We play in one of the toughest regions in the state and the team showed up to compete today,” Imlay City Coach Ryan Nolin commented. “My team is led by seniors Isaac Sommer, Sam Edson, James Lauwers, Vinnie Guerin, Carsan Milovich, Vishnu Jeyapaul and Caleb McLain who all contributed greatly to our success at regionals during our regular season where we went 10-3-4.”

Levi Lengemann (first singles), Isaac Sommer (second singles), Sam Edson and Griffin Wetzel (first doubles), Vinnie Guerin and Caleb McLain (second doubles), Carsan Milovich and Jeremy Alter (third doubles) along with Vishnu Jeyapaul and Isaac Lindquist led Imlay City that day. They were flight semifinalists.

James Lauwers (third singles) and Drew Schriber (fourth singles) added quarterfinal appearances to Imlay City’s cause.

Eric Brown (first singles), Austin Machiniak (second singles), Ethan Stacer (third singles) plus Carsen Cooper and Michael Stacer (first doubles) posted the top Almont showings. Each were flight quarterfinalists.