Girls tennis team hosts district tourney

The girls tennis team hosted the district tournament at Black Butte Ranch on Thursday and Friday, May 14 and 15.

No Outlaws advanced to the semi-finals on Friday, but according to Coach Marti Dale, they all stepped up their game and played their best tennis of the year.

Three doubles teams won in the first round. Marin Allen and Sarah Brown defeated Hanna Heycke and Kristen Jorizzo of St. Mary's 6-2, 6-2 in two quick sets. Jen Houk and Jessie Higgins beat Hidden Valley's Molly Freeman and Chloe Wilson 1-6, 7-6, 6-4.

Dale said, "Jen and Jessie are just freshmen, and they stepped up their game and played very well together."

Peggy Barrett and Tiffany Bigelow defeated Mackenzie Dennis and Snowy Lai of Canyonville Christian Academy 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

In singles, Jacquie Bryan defeated Marist's Zoe Duvall 6-4, 5-7, 6-1. The first two sets were close, and then Bryan wore down Duvall in the final set with her steadiness and consistency.

Maddie Green beat Ronnie Sagert of St. Mary's 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.

"Sagert started to come back and Maddie had some great serves to get the points and win in the last set," said Dale.

In round two Marin Allen and Sarah Brown beat the Deming sisters, Camille and Quinlyn of North Bend 6-4, 6-3, with their strong serving and net play.

Jacquie Bryan defeated Andrea Tison of North Bend 6-4, 6-4.

"Jacquie was strong throughout the match, but her nice drives down the line with her backhand helped her win the match," said Dale.

The doubles duo of Allen and Brown and singles player Jacquie Bryan advanced to the quarterfinals.

Bryan played Sarah Carey of Hidden Valley, the No. 2 seed and a ranked USTA (United States tennis Association) player, who plays yearround. Bryan lost the match 6-0, 6-2.

"Jacquie played very well," said Dale. "It's hard to go in and play against someone that far along in their skill level, but she just played one point at a time and was able to return some of the 85 mph serves and some amazing and impressive shots that she'd never seen before."

Allen and Brown were defeated by Hidden Valley's Jayna Lack and Nika Payne in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

"Marin and Sara started out strong, and then their opponents stepped up and started playing really well. Marin and Sara just couldn't stand up against their surging strength," said Dale.

Overall, Dale was pleased with her entire team and their efforts.

"Our team did an excellent job representing Sisters, both on and off the court," said Dale. "I'm very proud of them. The girls really stepped it up to the next level, and I was impressed with how well they played. It was their best tennis of the season."