Lady Outlaws split tennis matches

The Sisters Outlaws girls tennis squad started their week with a 5-3 win at home over North Marion on Tuesday, April 18, and three days later fell 2-6 to Redmond.

The Outlaws fought off the cold and notched a dominant win over the Lady Huskies at home in Tuesday’s tennis action. Juhree Kizziar (No. 1 singles) dominated her match with great serve speed and placement for a 6-0, 6-0, sweep over Allyson Chamberland. Coach Bruce Fenn said that Kizziar’s foot speed around the court, her power ground strokes, and varied drop shots confused her opponent.

Katy Ryan moved up to the No. 2 singles spot, due to Brooke Harper’s minor injury, and took down Evelyn Bedolla 6-2, 6-1.

“Katy’s placement of the ball on Bedolla’s backhand and timely movement to the net hitting solid volleys gave her the easy win,” said Fenn.

Rylie Bick moved up in the lineup to No. 3 singles and gave Zayra Diaz a challenging match with many deuces, but Diaz was able to pull off the 7-5, 6-4, win with crucial points, which made the difference in the outcome.

Adrianna Luna, who usually plays doubles, moved into the varsity singles line-up for the first time this year. She played a great match but fell 4-6, 2-6, to Fia

Swanson.

Luna said, “Singles is fun because I could run more and didn’t need to think about what my doubles partner was doing.”

Josie Patton and Charlotte Seymour (No. 1 doubles) put up a good fight against Trinity Christianson and Caile Lader with aggressive net play and good backcourt shots, but in the end lost the first set 5-7. The Huskies dominated the net in the second set with a 6-0 win.

Lanie Mansfield and Leah O’ Hern (No. 2 doubles) beat Yasmine Navarro Romero and Hannah Jones 6-1, 6-2, with good placement of the ball and great positioning on the court, which got them easy points at both the net and the baseline.

Fenn noted that their team communication and forceful volley winners at the net was the difference in the match.

Sophie Rush and Ava Stotts took down Maria Cacatzum Riscajcha and Sadie Stringham 6-2, 6-4. Both players hit fluid, smooth ground strokes to the open court away from the net players. Their volleys were also more consistent and hit for winners.

The Wyland sisters, Sage and Shae, won their first varsity match. They beat Grace Davenport and Kami Robertson 6-2 in the first set and then blanked them 6-0 in the second set.

The duo said, “We are beginning to understand placement of the ball and movement around the court switching positions to be effective.”

Fenn told The Nugget that the lineup has been different week-to-week, depending on who is available to play.

“We are fortunate this year to have experienced players to help out,” said Fenn. “We are a team and every player contributes to our success. Each match and every practice teaches each player those things that help them play better. The team is slowly coming together in preparation for preliminary Districts at Madras May 4-5, and Districts May 12-13.

Three days later the Outlaws traveled to Redmond and played without four varsity starters. Team members moved up in their respective positions due to higher-ranked team players who were unable to play.

Kizziar (No. 1 singles) defeated Yudith Gradilla 6-2, 6-3. Kizziar was a more skilled player and hit hard to all areas of the court.

Presley Adelt played a good match at the No. 4 singles spot against Dani Zuniga, but lost in a 10-5 tiebreaker. Fenn noted that Adelt moved well on the court and hit solid ground strokes, but made more unforced errors than Zuniga.

Shae Wyland and Ava Riehle teamed up at No. 4 doubles and posted a 1-6, 7-5, 10-6, win over Paislie Monson and Alejandra Duenas. The duo paired up for the first time this year, never gave up, and came back to win after being down a set. Fenn stated that the duo’s athletic abilities and fast feet got them the win.

“This was a good non-conference tune-up for Districts,” said Fenn.

Sisters was to play at Stayton on Tuesday, April 25. They will travel to Madras on Thursday, April 27, for a match against the White Buffs.