Pioneer senior Garett Halpert faced a familiar foe on Friday in the No. 1 singles Division 1 regional final on Friday at Pioneer, Huron sophomore Jack Petersen. The two have faced each other twice this season, Petersen winning the first time, Halpert the rematch.

Halpert won the rubber match in straight sets on Friday in straight sets in a match marked with long rallies. It seemed each player knew exactly what the other was going to do before it even happened.

"We know each other's games pretty well," Halpert said. "I wouldn't say it's just hard playing him again and again. I'd say it's hard because he's ridiculously good."

The two could meet again at next weekend's state championships as both teams advanced, Huron as regional champs, Pioneer occupying the second automatic qualifying spot. (Photo Gallery)

Saline nearly became the third team to advance out of the region, scoring 17 team points, one shy of the required amount. It was a tough pill to swallow for Saline as it once again is one of the top teams in the state -- ranked no. 8 by the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association -- but won't get the opportunity to compete at the state championships.

Coming into the day, Saline coach Andrew BeDell thought his team could muster 20 points, but just didn't play their best.

"We just didn't step up. We've beaten a lot of these teams, especially Pioneer, at some points. "We don't want to move to weak region just so we can make it. We just didn't get points at some doubles flights and some singles as well."

More tennis

Greenhills will get an opportunity to go for a fourth consecutive Division 4 state championship after winning its region at Grosse Ile on Friday. Winning singles flights for the The Gryphons won all but one flight. Winning singles titles were Mithun Saha (No.1), Thane Feldesein (No. 3) and Zach Martell (No. 4). Winning doubles flights were Chang Che and Connor Kkaczynski (No. 1), Sean Saint and Matteo Todisco (No. 2), Sam Markel and Adhi Rajaprabhakaran (No. 3), and Neil Sykes and Nick Sandhu (No. 4.). (Complete results)

At the Division 3 regional At Chelsea High School on Friday, the host Bulldogs took second place to advance to the next week's state championships. Winning doubles flights for Chelsea were Brett Argir and Jayden Sweeny (No. 1), Mike Varner and Brett Bowersox (No. 2), Nick Young and Nate England (No. 3). (Complete results)

Golf postseason

Dexter High School sophomore Mary So advanced to the Division 2 golf state championships on Saturday. So shot a 95 a Fox Hills Golf Course in Plymouth finishing second among individuals from non-state qualifying teams at the Division 2 regional tournament. The top three teams and top three unattached individuals advance. Dexter finished fourth as a team. (Complete results)

Thursday golf results: Four local golf teams, Huron's Madison Smith advance to state championships.