Player(s) of the Match Sage Renninger (left) and Wynter Thorne (plus photo bomber McKenzie Bailey, on right) celebrate. (Ken Stange photo)
A point here or there and things get flipped.
A day after dominating Olympic League rival Klahowya, the Coupeville High School girls’ tennis squad made the long trip to Granite Falls Friday to face a former league rival and were nipped 4-3.
The loss, which dropped the Wolves to 1-2 on the season, hinged on a pair of ultra-tight matches at second singles and second doubles.
Sophomore Valen Trujillo, a relative newcomer to singles play, pushed Granite Falls senior Hailey Arndt to three sets and two-and-a-half hours of back-and-forth tennis, before falling 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Despite the loss, CHS coach Ken Stange was more than pleased with the effort of his young gun.
“This was the most closely contested match of the day,” he said. “Since day one of last season, Valen has given it 100%. Today was no exception.
“Valen covered a lot of ground,” Stange added. “She is new to singles, and almost beat a 12th grader who’s been playing singles for two-plus years.
“I can’t say enough about how hard Valen battled. That kid has a bright future!”
The Wolves kept things close by taking two of three doubles matches, with the #2 team of Sage Renninger and Wynter Thorne earning Player(s) of the Match honors for their victory.
“Sage and Wynter were on point today,” Stange said. “They balanced consistency and power.
“Wynter has brought a great deal of leadership to our team, and Sage has infused our team with a great deal of talent,” he added. “Our top doubles players continue to grow. As the season progresses, we are going to pick up more doubles wins.”
Complete Results:
Varsity:
1st Singles — Jacki Ginnings lost to Katelyn Gresli 6-1, 6-3
“This match was much closer than the score suggests. Most of the games went to deuce, and there were quite a few long rallies.”
2nd Singles — Valen Trujillo lost to Hailey Arndt 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
3rd Singles — Sydney Autio lost to Laura Gilbertson 6-3, 6-0
4th Singles — Ana Luvera beat Laura Rachal 7-5, 6-1
“She took control in the second, winning easily. It was a solid win for Ana!”
1st Doubles — Payton Aparicio/McKenzie Bailey lost to Mckenzie Meyer/Annie Hart 6-4, 7-5
“Despite lasting only two sets, this match was every bit as close as #2 Singles. McKenzie has been a strong leader for our team, and Payton has delivered a big boost of talent to our team.”
2nd Doubles — Sage Renninger/Wynter Thorne beat Brynne Mota-Soriano/Holly Carry 6-1, 7-6 (8-6)
3rd Doubles — Ivy Luvera/Micky LeVine beat Shelby Behler/Danielle Coleman 6-1, 6-3
“Blowout. Ivy and Micky have a lot of experience behind them, and that experience made all the difference in a quick win.”
JV:
Bree Daigneault/Jazmine Franklin beat Cassie O’Brien/Allison Middleton 8-1
McKenzie Meyer/Haleigh Deasy beat Taylor Middleton/Victoria Bell 8-2
Maggie Crimmins/Kameryn St Onge lost to Kady Phillips/A. Middleton 8-3
Hanna Seiffert/Ashley Smith lost to Bell/T. Middleton 6-5
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