The Dexter girls’ tennis team will be shooting for its fourth straight title when it hosts the D2 regional Thursday.

The three-time defending champion Dreadnaughts, who lost five seniors from last season, started 2024 slow, but has improved as the season went on and has been playing strong as of late.

“I think we have been trending in the right direction,” Coach Rob Smothers said. “Our senior leadership has been absolutely critical to this team’s growth and development.”

A fourth straight title will be a tough task with D2 third-ranked Farmington Hills Mercy moving into the region, but a top two finish is not out of the question for the Dreads and would still qualify them for the state finals.

The Dreadnaughts took a big step in the right direction with a strong 8-0 win over South Lyon East last week. The win helped improve the Dreadnaughts seeding at the regional and could set up many flights at the Regional to where they won’t meet up with the strong Mercy team until the later rounds.

Dexter dominated SLE with seven of the eight flights winning in straight sets.

Julia Berkholtz and Claire Beneteau swept through their three doubles 6-0, 6-0, while Charlotte Bruderly and Siena Taylor won their singles matches 6-1, 6-0.

Josie Alabre and Tessa Baughman won 6-1, 6-1 and Cameron Boyce/Phoebe Matos won 6-1, 6-3.

Singles wins went to Claudia Vanover 6-3, 6-4 and Brynlee Williams 6-4, 6-4.

The lone match three set match came at two doubles, where Raegan Kopitsch and Amelia Baglio rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win.