This week had some ups and downs for the tennis girls as they played one away-game and ended the week with their last couple of home games.
On Tuesday, the Pirates traveled off the island to play Kings. Unfortunately, the Pirates had quite an ugly loss of 0-5. Kings is a highly skilled team, especially in their varsity level. Vashon JV had a little better luck as skill levels continue to make steady improvement. They accomplished closer losses and the only three wins for the team: #1 JV doubles Sarah Cooper and Maggie Battisti and #5 JV Nova Travers-Knoedler and Aislin Pinckney. In addition, the Pirates’ only JV singles player Lia Crawford got a chance to play and win.
On Thursday, Pirates hosted Cascade Christian, winning 4-1 for the second time. It was the hottest day of the week, reaching high 70s and feeling even more unpleasant on the courts.
Despite the heat, this match was a lot better for the Pirates. The varsity was well motivated to win after Tuesday’s loss, as they surpassed victory with a number of strong wins. Number one singles Lizy Maciejewski won her match 6-0, 6-0, and #2 doubles Lauren Henley and Emme Osborne appeared sure to win with the first set of 6-0, but it soon turned into a nail-biter as they lost 6-7 in the second, ending with a tiebreaker win 12-10. The only varsity loss was hard fought and rare from #1 doubles Tobin Vaughn and Lizzy Sutherland.
The last game of the week arrived with melancholy for the Pirates, as it would be the last home game of the season. As is Vashon tradition, the last home game marks the senior night celebration. Before the match, players ate cake and gifts were given to seniors which had been arranged by juniors Paisley Lieske and Lauren Henley. Unfortunately, the team lost 1-4, with one win in varsity by #2 doubles Emme Osborne and Lauren Henley 6-1, 2-6 and 10-5 in a tiebreaker. An additional win was by #1 JV doubles players Sarah Cooper and Chana Gefkovicz 8-6. The team lost 1-4.
Next week the Pirates will travel to their last away matches for the year.
— Sequoia Gregorich
