Lady Outlaws undefeated in league tennis play

The girls tennis squad posted two more wins on the tennis courts last week, which put them at 3-0 in league play and 5-1 overall. On Monday, April 3, Sisters earned a 6-2 win at The Dalles and three days later tallied a 7-1 victory at home against Madras.

In Monday’s match at The Dalles, weather started out sunny, but turned cold and windy, which made play more difficult.

The Lady Outlaws dominated in singles play with wins from top to bottom.

A relaxed Juhree Kizziar (No. 1 singles) played with confidence in her 6-0, 6-0 sweep over Giselle Ortega. Coach Bruce Fenn noted that Kizziar controlled the game with sound, effective ground strokes, slices, lobs, and skilled combinations of shot making.

Brooke Harper (No. 2 singles) played steady throughout the match and defeated Josie Hamm 6-1, 6-3. Harper seldom hit unforced errors and frustrated Hamm with deep, high balls.

Katie Ryan (No. 3 singles) is regaining her skills from two years ago and used those skills to beat Gabbie Vega 6-1, 6-0. Fenn noted that Ryan played with resolve to get every ball back, and her ability to track down every ball frustrated her opponent into making mistakes.

Presley Adelt won her No. 4 singles position in practice this past week, and Coach Bruce Fenn stated she showed her foot speed and consistency, which resulted in her 6-3, 6-3 victory over Aimee Sanchez.

Fenn said, “We won singles because our girls were more consistent, were better movers, and had better ground strokes.”

The excitement ramped up in doubles play. At No. 1 doubles Josie Patton and Charlotte Seymour won the first set and had the momentum, but The Dalles players were able to turn things around by a few more timely winners that made the difference in the match. Every point and game were contested and full of drama, but in the end Sisters took the loss with scores of 4-6, 7-6, 7-10.

“It was a great match with Josie’s athleticism and speed around the net knocking off winners, and Charlotte cruising the baseline was a great combination,” said Fenn.

The No. 2 doubles match was just as exciting. Sophie Rush and Ava Stotts started at No. 2 doubles for the first time this year and defeated opponents Pauline Vega-Valle and Jessica Huizar-Perez. They started with a 7-6 first-set win, lost 1-6 in the second, and wrapped up the victory with a nail-biter 11-9 tie-breaker. Fenn told The Nugget that the pair kept their cool, were focused, and came from behind to win the tiebreaker.

“In a tiebreak the team has to win by two points,” said Fenn. “Sophie, with her strong forehand and fast serve, put pressure on the opponent, and Ava ran down shots from the baseline.”

Laney Mansfield and new partner Cadence Dahl (No. 3 doubles) were too much for Yamari Santillan and Rita Rincon to handle. The duo took the first set 6-4, fell 4-6 in the second, but regrouped and cruised to a 10-5 tie-break win.

“Both Laney and Cadence move very well around the court with good foot speed,” said Fenn. “Their teamwork and communication wins them points. Laney hits winners at the net and Cadence runs down balls from the baseline. They both have speed on their serves that win easy points.”

The Wyland sisters — Sage and Shae — played at No. 4 doubles in their first varsity match. They’d never even picked up a racquet before coming out for tennis this year, and they both won their position at No. 4 doubles this past week. The duo fought with heart and effort, but lost in a third-set tiebreaker 8-10.

On Thursday, the Outlaws swept the courts once again in singles play. Kizziar (No. 1) demonstrated power and better placement of her serve, and her volleys were confident and accurate, which got her the 6-0, 6-0 sweep over D. Amaya. Harper’s (No. 2) backhand volley at the net was strong and confident and she easily notched the 6-0, 6-0 sweep over Mia Mitchell.

Ryan (No. 3) continued to gain confidence coming to the net, which put pressure on opponent Yashura Charero. She put away her volleys for winners and defeated Charero 6-0, 6-1. Freshman Rylie Bick played her first varsity match in singles and won in straight sets with scores of 6-2, 6-2 against Arehy Alonso. Fenn told The Nugget that Bick displayed quickness hitting effective ground strokes, both forehand and backhand, and was more consistent than Alonso.

Doubles teams mixed it up a bit because some players were unable to attend the match.

Laney Mansfield and Cadence Dahl fought hard at No. 1 doubles against Jenny Park and Heidi Sizdano. They won the first set 6-2, lost the second 3-6, and then fell 6-10 in the tiebreaker.

“It was exciting to watch them adjust to net play, positioning on the court, and their improved communication,” said Fenn. “Laney’s strong net play and Cadence’s hustle from the backcourt won them lots of points.”

Rush and Stotts (No. 2 doubles) beat their opponents with scores of 6-4, 6-1. The duo played fast around the court and hit winners from everywhere. Rush had a fast first serve that was hard to handle, and Stotts’ court coverage and winners punished their opponents. Fenn noted that the pair played with energy and joy.

Josie Patton and Presley Adelt teamed up at No. 3 doubles for the first time and walked off the court with a 6-1, 6-0 victory.

“It was great seeing their energy and excitement hitting good shots and winning at the net,” said Fenn. “Presley was great from the baseline and held up her side of play.”

The Wyland sisters held their opponents to two games with scores of 6-1, 4-1 before play was stopped due to rain.

“They play together like one person, knowing what each are doing at all times,” said Fenn. “Shea hits consistent shots from the baseline and Sage puts away balls at the net. This is their first year playing tennis, and it’s fun to watch them learn doubles.”

The Lady Outlaws will travel to Crook County on Thursday, April 13.