By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A year ago, Dowagiac's Ann O'Keefe stood on the court alone trying to give the Chieftain varsity tennis team a share of the Division 4 regional championship.
Thursday evening O'Keefe stood alone again, this time trying to win the Chieftains the undisputed title.
She battled Edwardsburg's Alia Zander tooth and nail for the No. 2 singles title.
When the smoke cleared, O'Keefe had a win and the Chieftains had the school's second regional championship.
Dowagiac nipped Brandywine for the title 23-22. Buchanan, which tied with the Chieftains and Bobcats last year for the crown, were third with 19 points.
Edwardsburg, which missed qualifying for the state title by one point in 2004, finished fourth with 17 points.
Again the Lady Eddies were denied a spot in next weekend's state finals as only teams with 18 points or more advance.
Dowagiac swept the singles flight championships just like they did last year.
Dowagiac coach Chuck Rubino said that the goal for the team was to get to 18 points and qualify for the state finals again.
Winning a second regional title, this one undisputed, was the icing on the cake.
Dowagiac also picked up victories at No. 1 singles with Lisa Rubino, Taylor Townsend at No. 3 singles and Amelia First at No. 4 singles.
For O'Keefe and Rubino it was a second straight regional title. For Townsend and First it was their first championship.
Brandywine and Buchanan split the doubles flight championships as the Bobcats won at No. 1 and No. 4. Buchanan took the titles at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles.
Rubino defeated Brandywine's Amy Konopinski at No. 1 singles, 7-6 and 6-0.
O'Keefe defeated Zander 1-6, 6-2 and 6-3 at No. 2 singles, while Townsend defeated Brandwine's Amelia Harrison at No. 3 singles, 6-3 and 6-4.
First topped Michelle Boothby at No. 4 singles, 7-5 and 6-3.
Bethany Daniel and Ashley Valentine defeated Buchanan's Robin Bahr and Megan Vylonis at No. 1 doubles, 3-6, 7-6 and 6-3.
At No. 2 doubles, Buchanan's Katrina Weldy and Courtney Miller defeated Brandywine's Erin Sinkoff and Jamie Bartuska, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Buchanan's Brianne Weldy and Mary Martin defeated Brandywine's Erin Fuson and Samantha Quartuccio to captured the No. 3 doubles championship, 6-3 and 6-2.
Brandywine's Morgan Bailey and Jordan Ferenczi defeated Edwardsburg's Lindsey Swann and Saumbera Wiedenmanott, 6-2 and 6-1, to take the No. 4 doubles title.
Division 4 Regional
Leeper Park, South Bend, Ind.
Team scores
Dowagiac 23, Brandywine 22, Buchanan 19, Edwardsburg 17, Paw Paw 12, Lake Michigan Catholic 5, Eau Claire 5, Cassopolis 3, Bridgman 3, Coloma 1, Constantine 1
Flight results
Singles
1. Lisa Rubino (Dowagiac) beat Amy Konopinski (Brandywine), 7-6 (7-4), 6-0; 2. Ann O'Keefe (Dowagiac) beat Alia Zander (Edwardsburg), 1-6, 6-3, 6-4; 3. Taylor Townsend (Dowagiac) beat Amelia Harrison (Brandywine), 6-3, 6-1; 4. Amelia First (Dowagiac) beat Michelle Boothby (Paw Paw), 7-5, 6-3
Doubles
1. Beth Daniel-Ashley Valentine (Brandywine) beat Megan Vylonis-Robyn Bahr (Buchanan), 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3; 2. Katrina Weldy-Courtney Miller (Buchanan) beat Erin Sinkoff-Jamie Bartuska (Brandywine), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; 3. Brianne Weldy-Mary Martin (Buchanan) beat Erin Fuson-Sam Quartuccio (Brandywine), 6-3, 6-2; 4. Morgan Bailey-Jordan Ferenczi (Brandywine) beat Lindsey Swann-Saumbera Wiedenmannott (Edwardsburg)