The West Ottawa women’s team put in a stunning display at the OK Red Conference tournament on Saturday, marking the Panthers’ fifth consecutive conference title.
Dominating nearly every field they walk on, West Ottawa secured the conference title with a total of 70 points, Followed by Hudsonville (58), Rockford (51), Typeon (38), Grandville (37), Grand Haven (36), East Kentwood (18 ) and Caledonia (16).
The Panthers won eight of the nine flights, the first time the team had achieved eight aviation titles in a single conference tournament.
West Ottawa puts on a show that audiences will not soon forget. No. 2. Up-and-coming freshman singles Danielle Lebster faced off against Kelsey Wolma of Hudsonville in the final. Lebster beat Wolma in two sets, 7-5, 6-4.
Not letting the pressure eat him up, Lebster remembers what his coach taught him and remains calm, relaxed and focused.
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“We studied tactics this week, specifically between the points of how to calm down and reevaluate the situation,” he said.
Taking time between plays to recall his thoughts helps Lebster gain confidence and a sense of belonging in this chaotic setting.
“Especially before the season, I was like, I can’t let them down,” said Lebster. “Otherwise they’ll be like, ‘Why do we put freshmen in the single number 2 position?’ It’s good that I didn’t let them down, especially in the conference final.”
Lebster wasn’t the only Panther to face adversity and come out victorious. No. 1. Megan Blake’s singles finish first 6-2, 6-2, No. 3. Singles Chloe Duckworth finished first 7-5, 6-4, No. 4. Singles Grace Gaul also finished first 6-1, 6-2 in the final.
The Panther doubles team also finished very well as No. 1. Doubles Kaitlyn Meyer and Maddie Moored finished second, No. 2. Doubles Kelly Linart and Kamryn Dumas finished first 6-0, 6-2, No. 3. Doubles Halle Pratt and Eleanor Ervine finish first 6-4, 6-1, No. 4. Doubles Rachel Kennedy and Jessica Zhang finished first 6-0, 6-4 and No. 5. Doubles Eden Hamilton and Kayla Jones finished first 6-2, 2-6, 6-0.
The Panthers have had tremendous success throughout the year, but that success started long before the season started. Intensive off-season training, including weights, may be the deciding factor in tournament results.
“Most of what you win during the season, you actually win it off-season, and then you reap the rewards during the season,” said coach Pete Schwallier. “We got the conference title today, but actually they have earned it over the last few years.”
Every game, set, and match is played with heartfelt emotion that thrills everyone watching, allowing the Panthers to deliver their most memorable season ever.
“The amount of composure these particular girls play with,” said Schwallier. “You could say it was important for each of these girls to do well for themselves, their team-mates, their families, for everyone. You can tell it’s important for them to do well because it represents something, and it’s very special to see.”
It was a special moment for the Panthers as they left the court with tears of joy and not a single word to describe what they had just accomplished.
“It’s hard to put it into words, but you know it when you see it,” said Schwallier. “I don’t have the right words to describe it, but we all saw it, and we all know what was there today.”
