By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
This year’s version of the annual Allegan Lions Club City Championship tennis tournament—which took place from Monday, July 22, through Friday, July 26—featured a lot of fresh faces.
Of the 58 players who participated in at least one division, 28 were taking part in a tennis tournament for the first time.
“This is the most newbies we’ve ever had in the tournament,” Allegan Summer Tennis officials said in a statement. “The first day of the tournament with the new players is always an adventure. It is amazing watching their improvement as the tournament progresses.
This was the 53rd edition of the tournament, which started in 1971. The only year without a tournament was 2020, when COVID forced its cancelation.
“For our players and parents, the Allegan Lions Club continues to provide an excellent opportunity and learning experience for each of them to learn more about the sport and tournament play,” the release said.
This was the first year the tournament was held on the new Gary Ellis courts.
“This was an exciting year to get on the new courts,” the release said.
Abby Fales, who will be a junior at Allegan High School this fall, was not among the “newbies” at this year’s tournament.
Rather, Fales is a veteran of the Lions Club City Championship. And her experience showed in a big way.
Fales won not one, not two, but three championships to emerge as the lone Triple Crown winner this year.
In addition to winning the 18-and-under girls singles title by virtue of a 6-1, 6-0 decision over Sophia Augustine, she teamed with Bristyn Neldon to claim the 18-and-under girls doubles title (6-1, 6-0 over Camdyn Drozd/Augustine). Fales also secured the 18-and-under mixed doubles crown with Carson Woodhams (7-5, 6-1 over Augustine/Ezra Smith).
“This tournament is one of the highlights our summer tennis program,” the release said. “The tennis is good, and it is great to see so many families supporting the players throughout the tournament.”
A total of 84 matches were played at this year’s event: 47 singles; 18 doubles and 19 mixed doubles.
While Fales was the only Triple Crown winner, six other players won two titles each:
- Madi Knoepke won at 14-and-under girls singles (6-4, 6-3 over Drozd) and with Kendall Halstead at 14-and-under girls doubles (6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (9) over Ava Thompson and Isabella Keck).
- Cam Knoepke won at 12-and-under boys singles (4-0, 4-0 over Jace Cooper) and with Cooper at 12-and-under boys doubles (4-1, 4-2 over Deacon VanderKooi/Mason Sluiter).
- Wesley Goodspeed won at 14-and-under boys singles (6-2, 6-0 over Eli Bergeon) and with John DeLaet at 14-and-under boys doubles (6-2, 6-1 over Sullivan Morgan/Charlie Morris).
- Gavin Clark at 18-and-under boys singles (6-4, 6-3 over Ezra Smith) and with Smith at 18-and-under boys doubles (6-1, 6-0 over Joe Sosnowski/Adam Mozery).
- Cooper with Cam Knoepke at 12-and-under boys doubles and with Emily Gaulke at 12-and-under mixed doubles (5-4 (4), 2-4, 4-0 over VanderKooi/Elowyn Waanders).
- Gaulke at 12-and-under girls singles (5-4 (6), 2-4, 4-2 over Ava Kievit) and with Cooper at 12-and-under mixed doubles.
Other winners included Savannah Woodhams/Genevieve Cooper at 12-and-under girls doubles (4-1, 4-5 (2), 4-1 over Gaulke/Addison Martin); Everlie Waanders/Maverick Mustain at 10-and-under mixed doubles (4-1, 4-1 over Clayton Helms/Patrick Helms); and Drozd/Asher Smith at 14-and-under mixed doubles (6-1, 6-2 over Savannah Woodhams/Charlie Morris).
As always, there was no player fee for the tournament.
“The tournament is a good end of season finale for the Allegan Recreation Department’s summer tennis program,” the release said. “The Allegan Lions Club and its sponsorship of the tournament is another factor in the continued success of our high school teams.
“Many former Allegan Lions Club participants have earned all-conference and all-state recognition.”
