Girls tennis swings into season with a win

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.