| Bethany Hoehner (left) and Stephanie Motsinger, doubles partners and first cousins, on the Bowling Green varsity tennis team. (Photo: Aaron Carpenter/Sentinel-Tribune) |
It’s been a long time coming for the Bowling Green girls tennis team.
In this, its 32nd season of existence, BG finished the regular season with a 6-1 record in Northern Lakes
League matches — its best mark ever — to tie for first with perennial powers Perrysburg and Southview.
Now with the league tournament at hand, the Bobcats will look for an exclamation mark to their already
successful season.
“Now they know that they truly belong on the court with any of these teams. They can compete, and that’s
the biggest thing,” said BG coach Greg Brown. “Until you actually go through it and do it, which we
finally have done, now they know it’s real. Now it’s up to all seven of these young ladies.”
BG has already set the school record for dual-meet wins in a season with 14. The Bobcats are 14-3
overall, and their only league loss was a 3-2 defeat to six-time defending NLL champ Perrysburg.
BG beat Southview, and the Cougars defeated Perrysburg, resulting in the three-way tie. The
highest-finishing team in the tournament likely will be crowned league champion. Anthony Wayne (4-3) has
an outside shot. The NLL combines dual-meet records and tournament finish to determine its league
champion.
“I am totally excited about being in this position,” said Brown, who is in his 21st season. “I am also
aware of the pressure that comes with being at the top … but I truly believe that we deserve to be
here. We have earned the right throughout the season and we are ready to compete.”
Leading the way for the Bobcats are three seniors: No. 1 singles player Beth Vickio and the No. 1 doubles
team of Bethany Hoehner and Stephanie Motsinger. All three have played varsity since they were
sophomores.
“By far, the strength of this team is the three seniors,” Brown said. “They have been through the mini
wars and they know what it’s all about. They have proved to themselves and know that they’re good
enough.”
The doubles team of Hoehner and Motsinger have more than just a strong tennis connection; they’re family.
The two are cousins, neighbors and best friends, and that closeness has resulted in a tremendous senior
season.
“We have different strategies and we help each other out,” said Motsinger, who along with Hoehner are 6-1
in NLL doubles matches this season. “We work really well together, plus we’re cousins, so we know each
other really well and that helps.”
The two paired up in first doubles as sophomores, but Motsinger played at singles last year. The two came
to coach Brown with the idea of pairing up again this season to help the team be more successful.
“We are excited. It feels surreal,” Hoehner said. “It’s great knowing that this is the first time in it
seems like forever since the BG tennis team has done something.”
Vickio, who is 5-2 in the NLL this season, has been BG’s No. 1 singles player since her sophomore season.
“Our whole team has come from just getting used to tennis and getting the feel for it,” Vickio said.
“I’ve played first singles against these incredible girls for three years now and in my sophomore year I
was like, ‘What the heck is going on?’ … Now I’m to the point where I just feel comfortable with
anyone that I play and I feel like I can compete with them.”
The No. 2 doubles team of juniors Abby Sell and Gina Buzzelli are undefeated in the NLL (7-0). Juniors
Maddie Telecky (No. 2 singles, 5-2) and Shelby Fenn (No. 3 singles, 4-3) have also enjoyed solid
seasons, making it a team effort for the Bobcats.
“It’s not one person,” Motsinger said. “Everyone has their good days … and we all contribute.”
Throw in the fact that the team will be trying to win their long-time coach his first league title makes
it that more special for the Bobcats.
“We all want it for him because he’s done so much for us,” said Vickio of coach Brown. “He’s helped us in
so many ways. This is our way of giving it back to him.”
Day 1 of the NLL tournament, originally scheduled for today at Bowling Green State University’s Keefe
Courts, has been postponed to Wednesday due to inclement weather. The tournament will conclude with
championship matches on Thursday.
