News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Girls tennis swings into season with a win

Rongi Yost, Correspondent | Last updated Mar 23, 2017 12:0pm0
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The girls tennis team broke in their new home courts with a 5-3 win over Mt. View on Monday, March 13. Mt. View has more than 40 girls on their varsity and junior varsity squads combined, and so the Outlaws were able to get in three JV matches as well.

Sisters No. 1 doubles team of Hawley Harrer and Rylee Weber defeated Miah Cronen and Hollie Kloos in a very close match with scores of 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). The duo served extremely well, which got them to the finish line.

Coach Susan Fullhart said she's excited to see what the two lefties will do this season, and noted they already have good chemistry.

Alana Lukens and Nika Chick beat Nichole Collins and Lucy Ferris 6-1, 5-7, (10-6) in a tight match at No. 2 doubles. The duo came out strong in the first set with a 6-1 victory, and hung on for the win.

Lacey Gilmore came out on top at No. 1 singles in her first match of the season. Gilmore defeated Alexi Overland 6-3, 6-3.

Fullhart said, "Lacey had a lot of success coming into the net, and I'd like to see her continue to get more aggressive as the season progresses."

Sophia Frack, in her first time at singles on the varsity squad, earned a victory at the No. 3 spot. Frack beat Heather Davenport 6-3, 6-2.

"Sophia moved her feet really well, and when she was able to get set up for her shots, her forehand and backhand were hitting their targets," said Fullhart.

Trinity Smith a great day at No. 4 singles, and defeated Eliza Jacobson 6-0, 6-3.

"Trinity is one of those players who takes it up a notch on game day," said Fullhart. "She always really surprises me with her level of play when she's competing, and today was no exception. She just did not miss, and you're going to win a lot of matches at this spot just keeping the ball in play."

Two days later, the Outlaws lost 6-2 to Redmond.

The squad had several close matches that they were just unable to finish.

Sisters got a win from Gilmore at No.1 singles, who came out on top with scores of 6-4, 6-2 over Taylor Cordell. Gilmore started slow, and was behind in the first set, but by the middle of the set she had her game firing on all cylinders and dominated from that point on.

"Lacey started hitting her shots with purpose and aggression," said Fullhart. "It was great so see her come out of her shell, and play the kind of tennis she's really capable of."

Harrer and Weber pulled off a win in No. 1 doubles against Ingrid Harris and Kali Davis, in an exciting nail-biting match. The duo won the first set 6-4, but lost the second in a tiebreaker, so the match went to a super match breaker, where the first team to 10 points wins. Rylee and Hawley got out to a slow start and were behind 4-1 at the start. Still down at 6-3, they rallied off six straight points to go up 9-6, and finally won at 10-8.

"Rylee and Hawley are so intuitive and athletic," said Fullhart. "They don't have a lot of tennis experience, but you never know it watching them play. But most importantly, they have so much fun together. I think their chemistry is a significant factor in their success."

Lukens and Trinity Smith, who had to play up from No. 4 singles to No. 2 doubles, played a great match, despite the 5-7, 6-7, 5-7 loss. Nika Chick, who normally teams up with Lukens at No. 2 doubles, injured her right hand in a softball game just a couple hours before the match and was unable to play. Fullhart noted she was very proud of Lukens and Smith for they way they played under the circumstances.

Engracia Diez and Rheanna Salisbury played together for the first time at No. 3 doubles. The duo split sets and ended up losing in the match-breaker, but Fullhart stated they fought hard and will ultimately make an awesome team.

The Lady Outlaws play at Bend on Thursday, March 23, take some time off for spring break, and then face Madras at home on Wednesday, April 5.

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Girls tennis puts solid squad on courts

The girls tennis squad returns 14 varsity players to their roster and five new girls have joined the team.

Six seniors return for their final season as Outlaws. Lacey Gilmore, a four-year starter, will play No. 1 singles. Annika Stadeli is also a four-year starter and will play doubles, and Devry Grace, in her third year, will also be a doubles player. Nika Chick and Hogan Hernandez, second-year players, will play doubles, and Ashely Adams will most likely play doubles.

Coach Susan Fullhart told The Nugget that Gilmore has improved and gotten better and better every year.

"Lacey was so close to getting her first shot at the state tournament last year, and I know she'll be right in the mix again," said Fullhart.

Six juniors, Alana Lukens, Hawley Harrer, Trinity Smith, Hogan Hernandez, Engracia Diez and Rylee Weber, all return as doubles players. Mary Florian, a third-year starter, will play singles.

Florian was a fierce singles competitor last year and Fullhart stated she's looking forward to watching Mary fight it out again this year.

Lukens has been a stalwart and tenacious member of the Outlaws doubles line-up for two years in a row.

"Last year, we weren't able to solidify a consistent partner for Alana, by no fault of her own, and that is my goal for her this year," said Fullhart. "She's so aggressive at the net and so much fun to watch."

Weber and Harrer hope to play doubles together this season, and Fullhart told The Nugget she thinks they will make a dynamic team.

"With Hawley's serve and Rylee's ability to finish at the net, they would have a great one-two punch," said Fullhart. "Additionally, both are lefty's, which always confuses opponents. And, both of these girls want to win. I love that!"

Sophomores Sofia Frack and Alexa Asson round out the returning players. They are second-year varsity players and will play doubles. Frack might also see some time at a singles spot.

Fullhart stated that the other returnees are all solid players.

Five freshmen, Rheanna Salisbury, Hannah Ezell, Ramsey Schar, Holly Werts, and Marrie Mynatt are new to the team. Salisbury is the only newbie that comes to the squad with tennis experience.

"The new girls have lots of potential, and some are tall and very athletic," said Fullhart. "I'm super-excited to watch Rheanna gain some confidence as she gets into match play. She has a very natural topspin forehand and a killer instinct, which both come in handy on the tennis court."

Fullhart, in her third year as head coach, told The Nugget she feels the team will have a nice balance of experience, skill, and motivation.

The squad's line-up is still up in the air, except for Lacey Gilmore, who will play at the No. 1 singles spot. The girls' strengths and preferences will be taken into consideration as the season unfolds, and the line-up will eventually fall into place.

Team goals for the season are pretty simple. The Lady Outlaws plan to have fun, improve their tennis skills, and in the process get some good exercise.

"Getting a few girls to the state tournament is something we always hope for, but since a good part of that possibility is out of our control, we focus on the things we can control," said Fullhart.

In the midst of the uncertain weather and all the snow, the girls tennis team has actually got in three practices on the outside courts.

"We are thrilled to have the new courts at the high school," said Fullhart. "Black Butte has been so good to allow us to use their beautiful facilities over the years, and we appreciate them so much. High school tennis in Sisters wouldn't exist without their generosity all these years. But, the drive was long, and could be a prohibitive burden, especially for working parents."

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