GIRLS TENNIS
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCENE
GIRLS TENNIS: Midland Dow carries on tradition with 20th straight state finals berth
BY DAN STICKRADT
CORRESPONDENT
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
MIDLAND — Growing up in the community of Midland, Garrett Turner understood the success story of Midland Dow’s tennis program and the expectations that come with that storied history of success.
The Chargers are in the midst of their 20th straight season where the girls tennis team has qualified for the state finals, either in Division 1 or Division 2, and the program has a strong legacy that goes back over three decades.
Dating back to the 1970s, Midland Dow has posted 21 top-10 state finals finishes.
“I grew up in Midland and saw what (Midland) Dow had going on (over the years),” recalled Turner, Dow’s 12th-year head coach who actually attended Midland High. “It’s nice to be a part of the tradition. There’s a lot to live up to (each season).
“There are amazing facilities here in Midland and when you have such a strong tradition that goes back so many years, young kids growing up in Midland want to attend and play tennis for Dow,” continued Turner. “I think the girls understand the tradition and want to keep it going.”
Midland Dow recently captured its 20th straight Saginaw Valley League championship, scoring a perfect 32 points on May 13. The Chargers followed that up with their sixth straight D-1 regional title on My 18, scoring 30 points to topple the 10-school field and win by six points over Grand Blanc.
“We’ve been first or second at the regional each year since I’ve been here,” said Turner. “There were several years where Traverse City Central was in our regional and we would go at each other. Traverse City Central is in Division 2 right now, so we don’t have to face them.”
Midland Dow, the defending state champion, is ranked second in Division 1 behind Northville entering the state finals. The Chargers have won or finished second at several invitationals this season.
Dow finished 8-0-1 in dual matches this season, tying only D-3 state powerhouse Birmingham Detroit Country Day.
From 1972 through 1996, Midland Dow enjoyed modest success with six top 10 state finals finishes in Class A, including tying for second back in 1988. Most of the Chargers’ success has come in the recent two decades, as the program last failed to qualify for the state tournament back in 1996.
Over the past 20 seasons, Midland Dow owns state titles in 2009 and 2016, plus state runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2015. In that two-decade span, the Chargers also finish third three times, placed fourth (once), sixth (twice), seventh (twice), eighth (once), 10th (twice), 11th (twice), 12th (once) and 14th (once).
This year’s squad has more than carried on the tradition.
After sweeping all eight flights at the SVL Tournament, Midland Dow won six of eight flights at the regional and held the No. 1 seed in seven flights at the regional.
Jessica Brown (No. 1) and Sarah Ismail (No. 2) both captured regional crowns, while Hadley Camp (No. 3) and Victoria Leiti (No. 4) also finished as the regional runner-up.
The Chargers’ doubles teams all swept league and regional titles, with the units of Meghan Killmaster and Kelly Livingston (No. 1), Mina Fabiano and Tatum Matthews (No. 2), Caroline Szabo and Christina VanderKelen (No. 3) and Amelie Kraef and Reema Patel (No. 4) emerging with golds.
“We hope to be in the top five (in the state) again this year — and hopefully higher,” said Turner. “Realistically, there are four teams that will battle for the state championship this year — Northville, (Dow), Grosse Pointe South and Bloomfield Hills. Plus, there are a few other good teams that have some very good players. It will boil down to the draws and who wins the close matches — and I expect there will be many close matches.”
Could it be a title-ending season?
“This is another great group of girls who have been competitive in every tournament that we have played in this season,” said Turner. “They put in the time and work hard to keep us (in the top 10). Hopefully we’ll be there in the end.”
Traditionally speaking, Midland Dow will be just fine.
MIDLAND DOW GIRLS TENNIS AT STATE FINALS
Spring Seasons
2017: TBD
2016: 1st D-1
2015: 2nd D-1
2014: 7th D-1
2013: 10th D-1
2012: 7th D-1
2011: 3rd D-1
2010: 2nd D-1
2009: 1st D-1
2008: 10th D-1
Fall Seasons
2006: 14th D-1
2005: 12th D-1
2004: 8th D-1
2003: 3rd D-1
2002: T-6th D-1
2001: 3rd D-1
2000: 4th D-1
1999: 11th D-1
1998: 11th D-2
1997: 6th D-2
1996: Did not qualify
1995: Not available
1994: Not available
1993: Not available
1992: 9th Class A
1991: Not available
1990: Not available
1989: T-9th Class A
1988: T-2nd Class A
1987: Not available
1986: 9th Class A
1985: Not available
1984: Not available
1983: Not available
1982: 9th Class A
1981: 9th Class A
1980: Not available
1979: Not available
1978: Not available
1977: Not available
1976: Not available
1975: Not available
1974: Not available
1973: Not available
1972: Not available