Outlaws claim tennis crown, head to state

Kelly Fitzjarrel, Ashley Sweeney and

Marigrace Marshall. photo by Peggy Chesser The girls tennis team claimed the Class 3A-2A-1A Special District 2 title for the second year in a row at a two-day tournament at Black Butte Ranch on Thursday and Friday, May 13-14. Thirteen teams participated in the event.

Sisters finished first with 28 team points. North Bend was second with 25 and Junction City third with 16.

Ashley Sweeney and Kelly Fitzjarrell entered the tournament as the number four seed in the doubles division.

The Sisters duo won all of their five matches and will head to state next week.

Marigrace Marshall entered the tournament as the number two seeded singles player.

Marshall was runner up for the tournament and also secured a berth to state.

Sweeney and Fitzjarrell defeated top seeded Kelsey Kautz and Megan Ayers of Stayton in the semi-finals on Friday.

Sweeney and Fitzjarrell lost the first set of the match 0-6 but charged back to win the second set 7-6 in a tiebreaker and the third set 7-5.

In the finals Sweeney and Fitzjarrell defeated Carla Parmeter and Stephanie Willett of North Bend 6-4, 5-7 and 6-4.

"I think at that point the girls had been thinking tennis for two days and they were exhausted," said Coach Janis Quiros. "But, they held tight and won through concentration and focus. They clearly beat the other team, not only with skill but also between the ears."

Senior Ashley Sweeney said, "In the final match we could tell that the team from North Bend was really good. Their serves were in and they were solid and consistent with their shots. Winning the first set was huge and it gave us confidence for the rest of the match.

"After we'd won we were exhausted and so excited at the same time," she said. "This was the first year Kelly and I had played together and we worked really hard all season. It felt really good to win. I think it surprised a lot of people because we were seeded number four coming into the tournament."

In singles play Marigrace Marshall defeated Kimberly Knight of Taft 6-2, 6-1 in the semi-finals. In the finals Marshall fell to top seed Kelsey McKenna of North Bend 6-0, 6-1.

"Kelsey (McKenna) is a very good player," said Quiros, "and I'm very proud of Marigrace. She played very well against her."

On Thursday Sisters had five teams headed into the quarterfinals and according to Quiros all the girls had played three grueling matches to get there.

The doubles team of Kaylin Brink and Heather McConville lost in the quarterfinals against Stayton's number one seed, Kelsey Kautz and Megan Ayers.

Brink and McConville won the first set 6-4, and then lost 3-6 in both the second and third sets.

"They made a dedicated effort but just couldn't close it," said Quiros.

Elyss Clasen and Liz Dale lost to North Bend's number one seed, Parmeter and Willet. Clasen and Dale lost their first set 2-6 and then rallied back to win the second set 6-4. The Sisters duo lost the final set 5-7 in a tiebreaker.

"Elyss and Liz were just amazing," said Quiros.

"They almost came back and beat North Bend in a tiebreaker."

Quiros said she had just put the Clasen/Dale team together 10 days earlier and they'd been practicing hard every day.

"I wanted to see how they'd do playing together," said Quiros, "and they were just amazing!"

Singles player Brittany Wimer made a remarkable comeback in her 3 p.m. match on Thursday. Wimer lost her first set 5-7 and according to Quiros was tired and out of energy.

"I went down to give her a little pep talk," said Quiros, "and told her she had to find the strength to finish."

Wimer came back to win the second set 6-3 and the third set 6-0.

"The strategy she played on her opponent was incredible," said Quiros.

"After Brittany won she walked off the court with a big grin on her face."

Wimer was defeated by top seed Kelsey McKenna of North Bend in the quarter-finals.

The doubles team of Ashley Sweeney and Kelly Fitzjarrell and singles player Marigrace Marshall will compete at the State tennis Tournament at the Swim and tennis Center in Eugene on Friday and Saturday, May 21-22.