The Kentwood girls tennis team on Thursday came within an eyelash of capturing its second South Puget Sound League North Division title in three years.
For the second time in two weeks, however, the Conquerors couldn’t figure out Auburn. Behind an impressive performance from Sandy Dennett in No. 1 singles, the Trojans outlasted the Conquerors 3-2 to take the North title.
“We made them earn it and feel good about the season,” said Kentwood coach Ingrid Bakke.
Dennett pulled out one of the day’s most pivotal victories, nipping Kentwood freshman Tess Manthou 6-2, 7-5. Auburn went on to take No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles to essentially seal the crown.
The loss dropped Kentwood to 12-4, just one game behind Auburn (13-3).
“It was there for the taking and Auburn outplayed us on the big points,” Bakke added.
Kentwood’s two victories came from No. 2 doubles team Niki Skinner and Camille Madsen and the No. 3 doubles tandem of Eliana Spero and Aera Shin.
And while Kentwood finished the regular season on a tough note, Kentridge knocked off Kent-Meridian 5-0. Kim Quach got things started with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Tina Nguyen in No. 1 singles, then Vicky Tran followed with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Rosa Fernandez in No. 2 singles.
Kentridge (11-4) also pulled wins from all three of its doubles teams: Katherine Melville and Kelsey Robson (No. 1 doubles), Jazmine AhYat and Jocelyn Chang (No. 2 doubles) and Senta Venkatesh and Shereya Shirude (No. 3 doubles).
Kentlake (4-12) also wrapped up its regular season in fine fashion, earning a solid split with up-and-coming Tahoma on Thursday. The Falcons knocked off the Bears 3-2, then came back the same day and fell to that same Tahoma team 4-0. Lexi Bolton delivered the match of the day for the Falcons in No. 2 singles, outlasting Tahoma’s Mona Tafesh 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Julie Williams and Kara Ikeda (No. 1 doubles) and Kelsey Wagner and Annie Cavanaugh (No. 3 doubles) also collected wins for the Falcons.
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Auburn 3, Kentwood 2
No. 1 singles: Sandy Dennett (A) d. Tess Manthou (KW) 6-2, 7-5; No. 2 singles: Mihaylova (A) d. Korin Hedlund (KW) 6-2,6-4; No. 1 doubles: Mariah Siemion/Peyton Prothero (A) d. Breanna Esber/Alyssa Nagai (KW) 6-4,6-4; No. 2 doubles: Niki Skinner/Camille Madsen (KW) d. Kristi Holley/Larsen (A) 6-4,6-4; No. 3 doubles: Eliana Spero/Aera Shin (KW) def Amann/Somerlik(A) 6-0,7-5
Kentlake 3, Tahoma 2
No. 1 singles: Kelly Lehigh (T) d. Sarah Mansfield 6-0, 6-0; No. 2 singles: Lexi Bolton (KL) d. Mona Tafesh 5-7, 6-4, 6-3; No. 1 doubles: Julie Williams/Kara Ikeda (KL) d. Jessica Price/Ashley Lucas 7-5, 6-3; Maria Bahlenhorst/Amanda Harding (T) d. Kelsey Wagner/Annie Cavanaugh by default; No. 3 doubles: Christine Rushton/Kimmy Williams (KL) d Wafa Tafest/Anna Swindiorda 6-2, 6-0.
Tahoma 4, Kentlake 0
No. 1 singles: Kelly Lehigh (T) d. Lexi Bolton 6-1, 6-2; No. 2 singles: Annie Cavanaugh vs. Mona Tafesh incomplete, no makeup scheduled; No. 1 doubles: Maria Bahlenhorst/Sierra Southworth (T) d. Kara Ikeda/Julie Williams 7-6 (5-7), 6-4; No. 2 doubles: Jessica Price/Ashley Lucas (T) d. Christine Rushton/Kimmy Williams 6-3, 6-0; No. 3 doubles: Kelly Bentrott/Wafa Tafesh (T) d. Sarah Mansfield/Brenna Bickel 6-3, 6-3.
Kentridge 5, Kent-Meridian 0
Kim Quach (KR) d. Tina Nguyen 6-1, 6-0; Vicky Tran (KR) d. Rosa Fernandez 6-4, 6-0; No. 1 doubles: Katherine Melville/Kelsey Robson (KR) d. Megan Ellis/Venus Lee 6-1, 6-0; No. 2 doubles: Jazmine AhYat/Jocelyn Chang (KR) d. Hull/Song 6-0, 6-0; No. 3 doubles: Senta Venkatesh/Shereya Shirude (KR) d. Feng/Chen 6-0, 6-0.
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