Holland Christian tennis wins regional title behind dramatic doubles dominance

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Holland Christian's Esmay Klingenberg and Kayla VandenBerg celebrate during the Division 3 regional tennis tournament on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Hope College.

Holland Christian’s Esmay Klingenberg and Kayla VandenBerg celebrate during the Division 3 regional tennis tournament on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Hope College.

HOLLAND – The Holland Christian girls tennis program has been a perennial state power for years.

The Maroons qualify for the state tournament almost every year behind the depth of the lineup.

While many teams have strong singles players, the depth of the doubles keeps the Maroons at an elite level year after year.

This year is no different.

The Maroons qualified for the Division 3 state tournament in dominant fashion, winning the regional title with 29 of a possible 32 points. Holland Christian won six of the eight flights, including a sweep of the doubles.

“It’s really a reflection of our team. We all want the best for each other and to get to state, really validates our hard work and dedication to the sport,” Esmay said. Klingenberg from Holland Christian. “All the doubles are so close in talent, we have to push each other a lot. We’re proud of that.”

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At No. 1 doubles, Ainsley VandenBrink and Lilly DeVries have been partners for a couple of years and that chemistry has shown.

Meanwhile, at No. 2 doubles, Klingenberg and Kayla VandenBerg teamed up this season and have developed into a formidable duo as well.

It has been a work in progress, however.

“It’s been a roller coaster. We’ve had a lot of highs and lows, but we’ve worked through it,” Klingenberg said. “We’ve been working to be consistent and put points away.”

Both rely on their friendship to bring in the energy and chemistry they need, especially when things aren’t going particularly well.

Kayla VandenBerg of Holland Christian's returns a shot during the Division 3 regional tennis tournament on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Hope College.

Holland Christian’s Kayla VandenBerg returns a shot during the Division 3 regional tennis tournament on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Hope College.

“We are friends off the court as well. That has helped us because we are so close,” said VandenBerg. “We have to focus a lot and specify everything else and lock it into the court. That’s something we’ve grown a lot, because at the beginning of the season, we were ‘get used to playing together.”

Klingenberg and VanderBerg won the No. 2 regional title, winning each match in straight sets, including a strong 6-1, 6-3 victory over Ludington in the finals.

VandenBrink and DeVries won the regional title at No. 1 doubles, winning each match in straight sets, including a 6-0, 6-0 final victory over Unity Christian.

At No. 3 doubles, Abi Kraal and Larissa Bol won the regional championship, winning 6-2, 6-4 in the finals against Coopersville.

At No. 4 doubles, Nicole Genzink and Cortney Leep completed a sweep of the doubles title with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Ludington in the finals.

Holland Christian's Esmay Klingenberg returns a shot during the Division 3 regional tennis tournament on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Hope College.

Holland Christian’s Esmay Klingenberg returns a shot during the Division 3 regional tennis tournament on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Hope College.

Eva VanKlompenberg won the regional No. 2 singles title, winning 6-2, 6-3 in the finals.

At number 4 singles, Gabi Rooks won the title, winning the final 6-0, 6-0 and dropping just one match throughout the entire tournament.

Monika Diaz reached the finals at No. 3 singles. Bria Lampen reached the semifinals at No. 1 singles.

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DannDaddon or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.

This article first appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland Christian tennis wins regional title behind dramatic doubles dominance

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