Ann Arbor Greenhills entered the state tournament as the clear favorite, and the team delivered with a commanding performance to capture its fourth consecutive state championship. With 11 of 12 players returning from last year’s title-winning roster and seven of eight flights seeded No. 1, the Gryphons earned 38 of a possible 40 points at the Midland Tennis Center.
The team won six of the eight flights, fending off a strong challenge from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, which finished second with 28 points. Greenhills coach Mark Randolph praised his players’ resilience, especially in the face of unexpected injuries.
Sophia Kleer, originally set to partner with Sophia Chen in second doubles, had to adapt quickly when Chen suffered an ankle injury just before the tournament. Kleer teamed up with senior Jessica Shi, a four-year team member who had never competed at regionals or states.
“I always have confidence in my team,” Kleer said. “I knew we would get the job done.”
Kleer and Shi made a deep run, pulling off a pivotal third-round upset of Notre Dame Prep’s second-ranked doubles team. That win gave Greenhills a crucial point and denied Notre Dame the chance to tie the standings.
“That was very important,” Randolph said. “It was a two-point swing. Jessica stepped up big, and Sophia did a great job guiding that partnership.”
Although Kleer and Shi eventually fell in the second doubles final to Wixom St. Catherine’s Lily Wolocko and Loren Nafso (6-3, 6-3), their performance was key to Greenhills’ overall victory. Chen, who missed the match due to injury, stood proudly in the center of the team photo holding the championship trophy.
At first singles, Maddie Morgan captured her third consecutive state title with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Notre Dame Prep’s Marissa Bitoni. Her younger sister Hazel also claimed the third singles championship in her tournament debut.
Other Greenhills champions included:
- Ellie Kim (second singles)
- Nina Malani (fourth singles)
- Shangyang Xia and Danica Rakic-Dennis (first doubles)
- Lauren Ye and Alyssa Hong (third doubles)
Randolph said the relationships built over the season were more valuable than any hardware.
“Trophies get dusty, memories fade, but the bonds on this team are for life,” he said. “This group of 16 girls showed true unity.”
Historic Win for St. Catherine’s Doubles Team
Wixom St. Catherine’s second doubles duo of Lily Wolocko and Loren Nafso made history, becoming the school’s first-ever state champions in any sport. They capped their run with a straight-sets win over Greenhills’ Kleer and Shi.
“Being the first champions for our school is a really cool experience,” said Wolocko. Nafso added, “I felt pressure, but I’m proud we pulled through. We did it for the school and our program.”
Mercy Falls Short in Division 2
Farmington Hills Mercy came close to a team title in Division 2 but finished second behind Birmingham Seaholm, which earned 32 points to Mercy’s 25.
Gabby Owens successfully defended her fourth singles crown, defeating Seaholm’s Izzy Bloom 6-0, 7-5. Mercy also had three other teams reach the final round: Megan Sullivan (first singles), Keira Kirkland (second singles), and the third doubles team of Penelope Livermore and Reese Sinawi.
Cranbrook, Marian Battle in Division 3
In Division 3, Detroit Country Day edged Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook for the team title with 34 points to Cranbrook’s 32. Birmingham Marian placed third with 22 points.
Cranbrook’s individual champions included Chloe Qin (first singles), Caroline Liu (second singles), Ava Clogg and Chiara Martella (first doubles), and Sophia Kouza and Madeline Day (second doubles). Marian’s Stella Glorio and Lexa Hindo won the third doubles title.
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