Girls tennis swings into season with convincing wins

The Lady Outlaws tennis squad took down Bend High 5-3 in their opening match of the season on Tuesday, March 12, and two days later beat Mt. View 7-1.

In Tuesday’s match the Outlaws won all of their singles matches in straights sets.

Juhree Kizziar (No. 1 singles) blanked Kyla Guerrero 6-0, 6-0. Kizziar demonstrated her new power on serve and return, and didn’t allow Guerrero to win a single game.

Coach Bruce Fenn said, “Juhree has improved in all areas of her game. Her ground strokes are fast and consistent, and her volleys are controlled with placement. Juhree committed to playing winter tennis indoors, and the results showed today.”

Katie Ryan (No. 2 singles) notched a 6-4, 6-4, win over Meredith King.

“Katie’s serve has improved and her ability to run down balls is even better,” stated Fenn. “Katie decided to focus on tennis this winter and was invited to play doubles every Tuesday with the gracious Moms of Eagle Crest Resort, along with Leah O’Hern, Sophie Rush, and Lilly Pomering.”

Rylie Bick (No. 3), although feeling a bit under the weather, stayed strong and beat Lucy Cox 6-2, 6-2, in two challenging sets.

“Rylie showed her ability to be consistent with her forehand,” said Fenn. “Her foot speed getting to the balls early helped her overpower Cox.”

Shae Wyland wrapped up the single’s victories with a 6-1, 6-2, win over Parker Evans.

“Shae was more consistent than Evans, and her superior athleticism was exciting to watch,” said Fenn.

The Outlaws No. 1 duo, Leah O’Hern and Sophie Rush, played well together in their first match of the season, and defeated Tatum Bunting and Ina Link. They took the first set easily with a score of 6-2. In the second set they held a significant lead, but then lost momentum and Bend roared back to even the score at 6-6, requiring a seven-point tie-breaker. O’Hern and Rush took control, and won the deciding tie-breaker 7-1.

Fenn told The Nugget that O’Hern and Rush hit better-placed shots and their defense won the match.

“Both girls communicated great,” said Fenn. “O’Hern with her consistent defense, and Rush’s attacking style, was a winning combination.”

Of the remaining doubles teams Fenn said, “They struggled today because of lack of quality practice on the tennis courts. Injuries have hurt the teams as well. The team has been forced in the gym due to inclement weather for two weeks, and it is difficult to teach winning positioning in doubles in a gym to new players.”

Fenn added that the bright spot of the match was watching the new players (junior Lilly Pomering, sophomore Kalie Sullivan, and freshmen Jessica Stahn, Ella Panozzo, and Caitlin Carter) compete.

“These girls showed hustle and their efforts will help us win matches,” said Fenn.

On Thursday the Outlaws overpowered Mt. View and won seven of the eight matches.

Sisters’ singles once again showed their dominance and won all four singles matches.

Kizziar took control from the start of the match and easily blanked Ava Uht 6-0, 6-0. Kizziar outclassed Uht in every area with power and defense. Fenn told The Nugget that Kizziar is a dominant force on the tennis court.

Ryan posted a 6-1, 6-0, win over Lindsey Spakausky. Ryan played more consistent throughout the match, moved the ball around with good placement, and also defended with speed and good placement.

Bick played with energy and determination and easily came out on top 6-0, 6-0, against Stella Haleakala.

Wyland (No. 4) also played with great energy and was determined in her match against Jocelyn Elias Molina. Wyland’s left-handed forehand confused Molina, and Wyland posted a dominant 6-0, 6-0, victory.

The No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams both went into extended 10 point tie-breakers in nail-biting matches.

O’Hern and Rush, Sister’s No. 1 doubles, lost the first set 0-6, in their match against Haven Hevzog and Carmen Roberts. The duo regrouped and squeezed a second set advantage in a seven-point tie-breaker 7-5. They dug deep to finish the match in a 10-point nail-biting tie-breaker and won 14-12.

Fenn explained, “A 10-point tiebreak is used when the score is one set all to finish the match.”

“The key to their (Rush and O’Hern) success was not giving up, even through they were not playing good tennis,” said Fenn. “Their determination was nice to see. Their placement on match point was smart tennis and won them a grueling victory.”

Charlotte Seymour and Presley Adelt (No. 2 doubles) also squeaked out a victory. They lost the first set 3-6, to Andrea Hernandez and Brynn Osborne but came back and tied the score 6-6 in the second set, and then raced ahead to win 7-2 in the tie-break. The 10-point tie-break was suspenseful but the duo pulled out the 11-9 win.

Ava Riehle and Molly Greaney (No. 3) rounded out the Outlaw’s wins with a 6-2, 6-0, victory over Addi Kenner and Harper Stone. Riehle and Greaney dominated play with hustle and some good forehand.

Sisters No. 4 doubles, Lilly Pomering and Jessica Stahn, who are both new to tennis, struggled in their first set against Scarlett Haarberg and Lily Knapp. As the match went on they became more confident and hit more balls in the court, but in the end fell 1-6, 3-6.

Fenn said, “We are off to a good start, but we have a lot to learn.”

The Lady Outlaws were to play at home against Summit on Monday, March 18, and again at home on Tuesday against Ridgeview. They will play at home against Redmond on Thursday.