FARMINGTON HILLS >> The rivalry between Birmingham Seaholm and Bloomfield Hills Marian in girls tennis continued at the Division 2 MHSAA regional on Friday at North Farmington High School.
Seaholm took the title winning seven of the eight finals matches. All eight matches were between the two schools with all of the participants qualifying to compete at the state tournament.
“I wouldn’t say it was dominant, they took a set in every doubles. They were gunning for us since we beat them the first time, 6-2 (on April 20). The score isn’t always indicative of how close it was,” Seaholm coach Casey Cullen said. “I think they will continue to get better. They’re one of the top teams in the state right alongside of us.”
For the past two years Marian had won the regional – last year beating Seaholm by one point.
“To finally win the region I think that gives the girls some confidence going into the states. This isn’t the real prize, they’re going to be more fired up to get it in states,” Cullen said.
Back in April, Marian won the No. 1 and No. 4 singles but the tables were turned on Friday.
“So that was awesome. We came through it in three sets. I think it shows how close we are. They’re a good team, they’re well coached,” Cullen said. “We’re lucky to sneak out with that score today.”
Just like their teams, No. 1 singles players Madison Daminato (Seaholm) and Marian senior Korrin Dering have quite a history. On Friday, it was Daminato who won 6-3, 6-3.
“We’ve already had some really good matches, I mean she beat me my freshman year, I beat her last year and she beat me this year,” said Daminato, a junior. “It’s always good going out to play her, you don’t know what you’re going to get.”
Daminato is playing through lower back pain and stretched on the court during a break in the action.
“Madison has been battling injuries all year, so to see her fight and compete for her team on one of the biggest stages of the year and to come up with a win to someone she lost to last time. It’s really impressive and makes me proud as a coach,” Cullen said. “It goes out to her, she puts her body on the line, she’s a special one.”
In No. 2 singles, Seaholm’s Sofia Gryzenia beat Mia Schwartz, 6-4, 6-1, while in No. 3 singles, Seaholm’s Mollie Judge was victorious over Marlo Hudson in two hard-fought sets, 6-3, 6-4. In No. 4 singles Seaholm’s Greta Albertie won over Peyton Gregory, 6-2, 6-4.
At the end, it all came down to three final doubles matches – all won by Seaholm – but all played to three sets.
Seaholm senior captains Jessica Buechner and Lea Cazaudumec rallied to beat Marian’s Claire Steachow and Ariana Kotsakis, 5-7, 6-4, 63, in the final match of the day.
Marian’s only win of the day came in No. 1 doubles with Madison Dering and Gigi Kalabat defeating Layla Bellissimo and Emily Hirsch, 7-6, 6-3.
In No. 2 doubles, Seaholm’s Brooke Forte and Lilly Trinch beat Kate Currier and Kate Chinonis, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2, while in No. 4 doubles, Seaholm’s Charlie Kuchman and Sofia Manzo defeated Emma Albertie and Kathryn Torac, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
“We have everyone back from last year, they’re a close group, good chemistry, they’re easy to coach, they understand what kind of we’re looking for as coaches now,” Cullen said. “They do all the work, they put in all the time in the offseason, they deserve this today. But, again, there’s still more work to be done and a bigger prize in front of us.”
The Division 2 MHSAA girls state tennis finals will be held June 1 and 2 at Kalamazoo College.
