Willard finishes runners-up at Clyde tournament

CLYDE — The Crimson Flashes tied host Clyde at the Bob Wilson Memorial tournament on Saturday, but finished second based on the second tiebreaker criteria of head-to-head match wins (2-1). The Flashes and Fliers each totaled 38 points among the six-team field that also included Bellevue, Bowling Green, Huron and Sylvania Southview. "After a very tough week of non-league matches, I'm very proud of what our girls went out and did today," Willard coach Josh Bauerle said. "We played some great tennis up and down the lineup. This is always one of my favorite events of the year, and it was fun to see our girls play their best tennis of the year at it." Belle Van Zoest was the lone champion for Willard at third singles. She opened with a win over Bowling Green's Sarah Matthew (7-6 (5), 7-5) before defeating Clyde's Claire Timmons (6-1, 6-1) and Quinn Kern in the semifinals and title match (6-0, 6-2). Willard then put both its doubles teams in the finals. Maelyn Shaarda and Moriah Slone opened with a win over Bellevue's Alondra Rita and Delinda Gore (7-6 (4), 6-4) at first doubles. The pair then topped Southview's Alex Smith and Eliza Wyatt (6-1, 6-1) before falling in the finals to Bowling Green's Audrey Geyman and Hannah Mathey (6-4, 6-3). At second doubles, the pair of Rebecca Honaker and Emmy Danhoff beat Southview's Diya Yermal and Shaila Joshi (6-1, 6-2), then outlasted Bellevue's Kiley Shumay and Aailyah Young (6-7 (2), 6-1, 10-6). In the finals, they fell to Clyde's Elise Miller and Lexi Mahler (6-0, 6-0). Naomi Schag and Macey Robinson each placed third for Willard at first and second singles. Schag opened with a win over Huron's Katie McKinney (6-2, 6-3), then lost to Bowling Green's Libby Barnett (6-4, 6-0) before finishing with an 8-2 win over Bellevue's Dakota Lilly. Robinson fell to Clyde's Becca Clapp (6-1, 6-0) before beating Huron's Bri Miller (8-0). Norwalk fourth at doubles tournament PERKINS TWP. — The Norwalk girls tennis team placed fourth at its six-team host doubles tournament on Saturday. The Truckers hosted the tournament at Court 1 Tennis in Perkins Township because of the ongoing construction of the new five courts at the Middle School. Ashland won the tournament, and Shelby was runners-up. For Norwalk, the first doubles team of Megan Miller and Sidney Sage placed third. They opened with a loss to Bryan (6-0, 6-2), then rebounded to beat Shelby (8-1). Also placing third was the No. 3 doubles team of Kenzie Smith and Lauren Brown, and the No. 4 team of Kendall Hammersmith and Abby Mozina. Smith and Brown opened with a three-set win over Ashland (6-4, 1-6, 10-7) before falling to Bryan in the semifinals (6-2, 6-2). They rebounded to top Findlay, 8-5, to finish in third. Hammersmith and Mozina opened with a three-set win over Bryan (2-6, 6-3, 10-8) before falling to Shelby (6-4, 6-2). They finished with a win over Edison (8-1). At second doubles, the team of Maya Phillips and Ana Osborn placed fifth. They fell to a team from Findlay (6-1, 6-2) and beat Bryan (8-6) and Edison (8-1) to finish the day. Norwalk (3-0) is back in action on Monday at Willard (0-3). The Truckers then open SBC Lake Division play on Wednesday at Tiffin Columbian and Thursday at Sandusky before closing the week at Sylvania Southview on Saturday. Norwalk 4, Bryan 1 PERKINS TWP. — The Truckers capped their dual schedule week with a third win in five days after topping Bryan in a non-league match on Friday at Perkins High School. At first singles, Megan Miller defeated Reese Grothaus, 6-1, 7-6 (6). Sidney Sage rallied from dropping the first set at second singles to beat Caitlyn Dewitt (1-6, 6-0, 6-4). Maya Phillips and Kendall Hammersmith won at first doubles over Taylor Peel and Katelan Nagel (6-0, 3-6, 6-1). The second doubles team of Lauren Brown and Kenzie Smith fell to Hannah Andrews and Molly Hess (6-1, 6-4). In junior varsity action, Abby Mozina fell to Lucy Vashaw, 6-3.