Girls tennis earns big win over Madras

The girls tennis team made marked improvement from last week and defeated Madras 6-2 at Black Butte Ranch on Friday, April 17.

The Lady Outlaws swept the doubles matches and two of the four singles players notched wins.

Jacquie Bryan and Marin Allen (No. 1 doubles) defeated Elizabeth Gonzalez and Courtney Lindgren in two sets, 6-2, 6-3. Bryan and Allen had some amazing vollies that were fast and quick.

"Both teams were very aggressive," said Coach Marti Dale. "It was a very exciting match. The girls' footwork was good, and after long volleys they got the points. They were more consistent than their opponents and they didn't get flustered."

Olivia Miller and Tiffany Bigelow (No. 2 doubles) recorded scores of 6-4, 6-3 to beat Casandra Jiminez and Shani Rehwinkle. Miller and Bigelow kept improving as the match progressed.

"Olivia's return of the serve went cross-court," said Dale. "She drove it hard and low and they couldn't get it back."

The No. 3 doubles team of Jordyn Valdez and Peggy Barrett defeated Miriam Jiminez and Samantha Sellers 6-2, 6-4. Barrett played an especially aggressive game at the net.

Jen Houk and Jessie Higgins (No. 4 doubles) defeated Kayla Flowers and Dixie Leford 6-3, 6-2.

"Jen and Jessie have been working at practice on doubles strategy and where to stand on the court, and it paid off for them today. Their serves were consistent and they worked and moved together exceptionally well," said Dale.

Maddie Green (No. 3 singles) and freshman Becky Thomas (No. 4 singles) also won their matches.

Green dominated her match and defeated Kenia Cross in two sets, 6-1, 6-0. Thomas easily beat Karina Romero with scores of 6-0, 6-0.

"Maddie went in with a game plan and took control from the beginning," Dale stated. "She was solid all around and capitalized on her opponent's mistakes. Becky was very consistent in her serves. She always got that first serve in, which was key and got her the advantage. She played a baseline game, drove her shots deep and kept driving her opponent back."

Dale told The Nugget that she was very pleased with her players' performance and it was a very fun and exciting match to watch.

"The girls really shined today and things are really coming together," said Dale. "There's a lot of depth on this team and so the girls are really pushing each other and vying for position."

A day later the squad participated at the Madras Invitational, a marathon that went from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sisters finished sixth out of eight teams. Crook County took first, Hood River finished second and Barlow took third.

It was a round-robin tourney and each team played seven matches (seven games in each match) which accumulated to 49 games per player for the day.

"It was a very well run and executed tournament and a perfect day for tennis," said Dale. "The temperature was perfect, there was no wind, and there was a light cloud cover so it wasn't too bright. But, at 3 p.m. the girls had played 35 games and still had two matches to go (14 more games). The girls were tired but stayed strong. They dug deep and pulled through. They represented Sisters well."

The Lady Outlaws will face Burns at home on Tuesday, April 21. The following Monday, April 27, the squad will travel to Junction City.