Zeeland West girls tennis team won their first regional title after a thrilling match against Holland. The victory marks a significant achievement for the team.
Key points
Zeeland West girls tennis team won their first regional title
Victory was against Holland
Match took place on April 28
Held at Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts
Historic achievement for the team
Mentioned in this story
Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts
Zeeland WestHollandgirls tennis regional title
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Q&A
When did Zeeland West girls tennis team win their first regional title?
Zeeland West girls tennis team won their first regional title on April 28.
Who did Zeeland West defeat to claim the regional title?
Zeeland West defeated Holland to claim the regional title.
Where was the Zeeland West vs. Holland tennis match held?
The match was held at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
What significance does the regional title hold for Zeeland West girls tennis?
The regional title is a historic achievement, marking the first time Zeeland West has won this title.
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Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West aims for conference title with stellar singles squad
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Hamilton doubles team voted Athletes of the Week
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
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Zeeland West vs Holland girls tennis best photos
Scenes from the Zeeland West girls tennis match against Holland on Tuesday, April 28, at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts.
PORTAGE - When Harley Brown finished off match point, her Zeeland West teammates erupted in cheers and swarmed her on the court.
Brown was excited to be sure, but was a little surprised at the level of excitement in her Dux teammates.
They told her the news: Zeeland West was regional champions and headed to the state tournament for the first time in program history.
The Dux needed Brown's final point at No. 2 singles to tie Mattawan for the Division 2 regional championship on Wednesday, May 13.
"I had no idea. I was told earlier in the day that we were close to Mattawan, but no one said anything before my match," Brown said. "Honestly, it means everything. We have never gone to state, and it was my dream to go. Winning regionals was huge. I had never made it past the semifinals. I never thought I would make it here. It is a dream come true."
Both teams scored 23 points to share the title. Gull Lake also qualified for the state tournament with 22 points. Zeeland East finished fourth with 11 points and Holland was fifth (10) in the field of 10.
"This season I knew we had a good opportunity to qualify for state. We had girls who put in time all year long. For our program, it shows the hard work pays off," Zeeland West coach Lance McKinney said. "Coming into today, making state was the goal. But to be regional champs on top of that is a testament to the players who set the path to where we were."
The Dux won three flights and made five finals. It was a long way from last year when the Dux finished sixth with seven points with a majority of the same lineup.
"One of the cool things started last year when we really loaded up our schedule with quality competition. We took it on the chin a little bit, but it helped get us to this point - and so did our conference," McKinney said. "Our conference is really strong and we are battle tested."
The Zeeland West girls tennis team celebrates its first regional title in program history on Wednesday, May 13, at Portage Northern High School.
The Zeeland West girls tennis team celebrates its first regional title in program history on Wednesday, May 13, at Portage Northern High School.
Brown won the No. 2 singles title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Mattawan's Valeria Vega in the finals, the top seed.
Zeeland West sophomore Aneliece Yin won the regional title at No. 4 singles with a 7-6, 6-0 win over Gull Lake's Taylor Dolbee.
"I am really excited for the whole team," Yin said. "It is really special to (reach our potential). This is a huge deal."
Zeeland West's No. 2 doubles team of Brailee Bursley and Molly Settlemyre defeated Zeeland East's Pippa Boerman and Olivia Grotenhuis 6-4, 6-0 in the finals.
"It is really special how much we all have improved this year," Bursley said. "It shows how much we were ready for it."
At No. 3 singles, West's Halle Reider finished runner-up in a 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3 final. At No. 1 singles, West's Emily Haskill reached the finals with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win in the semifinals before losing to Mattawan's Ana Cheng 6-1, 6-0 in the finals.
The Dux sent Elise Fobar and Alice Smead to the semifinals at No. 3 doubles and Abby TenBroeke and Natalie Lauritzen at No. 4.
"State is the cherry on top of a really amazing season, but I know that as we gear up in practice, the expectation will be to win some matches," McKinney said.
Zeeland East's Raeleigh Jones and Kiana Samora finished regional runner-up at No. 3 doubles.
Making the semifinals for the Chix were Mahalia Vis and Elizabeth Rogovich at No. 1 doubles and Elyana VanderKlok and Jaelynn Velderman at No. 4.
Holland's top finishes included several semifinal spots, including Ahava LeFebre at No. 1 singles, Mariah Geerts at No. 2, Imagyn VanVeen at No. 4 and the No. 1 doubles team of Kate Ferguson and Sophia Poretta.
The season ends for Zeeland East and Holland, while the Dux advance to the Division 2 state tournament June 3-4 at the Midland Tennis Center.
"We knew it was going to come down to the end," Settlemyre said. "I am hoping we keep playing as a team, cheer each other on and have fun."
