McKenzie Bailey (left) and Sydney Autio claimed a key doubles win in Autio’s varsity debut.
Breanna Koym, seen here in an earlier season match, played second varsity doubles Tuesday. (John Fisken photo)
The Wolf netters went a long way to get back that winning feeling.
Returning from Spring Break renewed and re-energized, the Coupeville High School girls’ tennis team bounced host Granite Falls 5-2 Tuesday to snap a two-match skid and raise its record to a very-shiny 5-2.
The win was a nice return to form after the Wolves lost their last two matches before the break to traditional tennis powers South Whidbey and Blaine.
“It was a fun match for us,” said Wolf coach Ken Stange. “I had no idea what to expect from Granite this season. They have been tough on us over the past few years.”
Since Granite Falls is a 2A school, they play seven varsity matches instead of Coupeville’s normal five, which gave Stange a chance to get more girls on to the big stage and mix up a few doubles tandems.
“I decided to break up some doubles teams to give us a chance at singles,” Stange said. “The girls delivered!
“Amanda (d’Almeida) was her usual self, playing consistent tennis and covering lots of court. She found ways to get to the net and end points, but for the most part Amanda outlasted her opponent,” he added. “Both Allie (Hanigan) and Iris (Ryckaert) got off to fast starts in their singles matches. They both also put their opponents away with ease.”
It was Ryckaert’s first match as a singles player after working with Holly Craggs as a doubles player during the first half of the season, and she shone.
“It was great to get Iris out on the singles court because she has fabulous technique on both sides,” Stange said.
Equally outstanding was Emily Gallahar, another doubles player who jumped up and won a key singles match.
“Emily gave me the biggest surprise. Today she shined,” Stange said. “This was far and away the best match Emily has ever played. I am very proud of her effort.”
While sweeping the four singles matches iced things, the Wolves also added a win at third doubles from the dangerous duo of the future — McKenzie Bailey and Sydney Autio — in which Autio made her varsity debut.
Complete results:
Varsity:
1st Singles — Amanda d’Almeida beat Rachel Mow 6-2, 6-3
2nd Singles — Allie Hanigan beat Brittany Young 6-2, 6-0
3rd Singles — Iris Ryckaert beat Sherra Murdoch 6-2, 6-1
4th Singles — Emily Gallahar beat Laura Gilbertson 6-4, 6-1
1st Doubles — Holly Craggs/Julia Myers lost to Hailey Arndt/Katelyn Gresli 7-6(9-7), 6-2
2nd Doubles — Breanna Koym/Maureen Rice lost to Cassie Hart/Annie Hart 6-1, 7-5
3rd Doubles — McKenzie Bailey/Sydney Autio beat Brianna Cervarich/McKenzie Meyer 6-2, 6-3
JV:
4th Doubles — Ana Luvera/Ivy Luvera beat Brittany Lindell/Katy Phillips 8-5
5th Doubles — Micky LeVine/Jacki Ginnings beat Danielle Coleman/Nia Klinnert 8-1
“Micky played with a broken pinkie on her hand,” Stange said. “I’ve done that before … not easy … quite painful.”
6th Doubles — Mary Massengale/Samantha Martin won 8-2
7th Doubles — Wynter Thorne/Faith Shinn lost to Kenna Todd/Brittany Young 8-2
8th Doubles — Joye Jackson/Haleigh Deasy lost to Brittany Lindell/Katy Phillips 8-4
9th Doubles — Julianne Sem/McKenzie Rice lost to Annie Hart/Cassie Hart 8-0
10th Doubles — Julia Jones/Samantha Thomson lost to Brianna Cervarich/McKenzie Meyer 8-0
11th Doubles — Miranda Kortuem/Sydney Autio lost to Danielle Coleman/Nia Klinnert 6-2
Coupeville Sports 