Lady Outlaws compete at districts

The Lady Outlaws tennis team competed at the district championships held at Black Butte Ranch, Thursday-Saturday, May 8-10. Henley took first-place honors, and Marshfield was runner-up. Klamath Union took third, and North Bend and Sisters tied for fourth.

Ten teams competed amidst consistent rain, high winds, and sporadic hail all weekend. Coach Courtney Collins told The Nugget that it was a miracle they were able to get all their matches in. Collins had a big shout-out to Eagle Crest, the Athletic Club of Bend, and Bend Golf and Country Club for allowing teams the use of their indoor courts.

Several Outlaws made it deeper in the draw than was expected. Singles player Allie Spear and doubles teams, Haley Carlson and Savannah Spear; Brenna Weems and Dani Rudinsky; and Alex Hartford and Anni Stadeli, all made it to the quarterfinal round. Everyone played strong matches against some very tough opponents.

Allie Spear started off with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Kayleigh Godfrey of Hidden Valley, and went on to earn a 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 win over Rianna Delgado of Klamath Union. Spear lost to No. 1 seed Paige Hahn of Henley, in the quarterfinals 0-6, 2-6.

Collins said, "Allie has surprised everyone this season with her fiery fighting heart desire to learn, and the talent to pull it off."

Sisters' No. 1 duo, Haley Carlson and Savannah Spear, defeated Olivia Curran and Kiley Mehlbrech of Junction City 6-3, 1-6, 10-6, and then recorded a 6-1, 6-0 win over Paula Pinlac and Erin Wolf of Henley. The combo lost to Abby Clough and Sarah Springael of Marshfield in the quarterfinals with scores of 5-7, 2-6.

Collins said, "These girls are a couple of tough cookies, and I'm going to miss them. They were so close to going to state for the second year in a row but were simply outplayed by their opponents. Their shoes will be tough to fill in that No. 1 doubles spot."

Brenna Weems and Dani Rudinsky, at No. 2 doubles, blanked Emilee Westover and Allison Sanchez of Henley 6-0, 6-0 in their first match of the championships. The duo went on to earn a 7-6 (7-5), 6-0 win over Mekaela Larson and Kenzy Kvanduch of Junction City. Weems and Rundinsky lost to Taylor Cuzzort and Hannah Schadaimeier-Lynch of North Bend 2-6, 4-6, in the quarterfinals.

"These girls have so much potential and chemistry as a team," stated Collins. "I can't wait to see how far they make it next year."

Anni Stadeli and Alex Hartford (No. 3 doubles) lost 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-10, to Sierra Starr and Marley McIntosh of Junction City in a super-close first-round match. The duo went on to the quarterfinals in the backdraw, where they lost 0-8 in a shortened pro-set due to weather-related time constraints.

"The dynamic duo had never even picked up a racket before this season, and they have been a solid scoring team for the Outlaws," said Collins. "They should be a force to be reckoned with next season."