By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
OTSEGO — The Otsego girls tennis team picked up a pair of strong wins over the past week, highlighted by a decisive victory over Wayland.
The Bulldogs defeated Wayland 7-1 on Monday, March 30, using a balanced effort across both singles and doubles to improve their record to 4-1-1 on the season.
Hailey Burd led the way at No. 1 singles, earning a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Wayland’s Teagan Robinson. Ellie Korringa and Lydia Griffith added straight-set victories at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively.
Otsego also found success in doubles play.
At No. 1 doubles, the team of Sara McCaw and Stella Houseman secured a 6-3, 6-2 victory. Mila Garrett and Hope Stender delivered one of the more dramatic moments of the match at No. 2 doubles, rallying from a 1-5 deficit in the second set to win 7-5.
At No. 4 doubles, Emma Gilson and Brooklynn Cockerel clinched a win with strong play in a second-set tiebreaker, with Gilson’s consistency and Cockerel’s net play proving to be key.
Otsego opened the week with a 6-2 home victory over Marshall on Tuesday, March 24.
The Bulldogs picked up key wins at No. 2, 3 and 4 singles, with Korringa, Alie Bronson and Griffith each earning victories.
In doubles, Houseman and McCaw controlled play at No. 1 doubles, while Garrett and Stender used strong serving and return games to win at No. 2 doubles.
Cockerel also earned her first varsity victory at No. 4 doubles alongside Gilson.
“The girls had a strong performance tonight and showed improved confidence on the court,” Otsego coach Melissa Garrett said.
