After starting the season strong with a win on the road, the schedule got a little tougher for the VHS girls’ tennis team.

First, their home match against Fife was rained out so their next match was a long trip to Granite Falls. For some reason, the Granite Falls trip is often a difficult match up for the Pirates, and that proved to be the case once again. The teams were evenly matched, but the Pirates could not equal the level of play they demonstrated in their season opener, and lost 2-3 .

Next up for the team was the league opener, at home against Cascade Christian. The Pirates bounced back, controlling the match from the start and winning 4-1. Taking strait set wins were Paisley Lieske at no. 1 singles (6-2, 6-1), Lauren Henley/Ashley McArthur at no. 1 doubles (6-4, 6-3), Tobin Vaughn/Lia Crawford at no. 2 doubles (6-2, 6-2) and Mira Zike/Sara Cooper at no. 3 doubles (6-1, 6-2). Maggie Battisti took a tough loss at no. 2 singles, but fought back from a first set deficit to force a tie breaker (3-6, 6-4, 3-10). Taking wins in JV matches were Aislin Pinckney, Sequoia Gregorich, Clara Atwell, Margot Armstrong and Bea Quarta.

The Pirates ended the week with a trip to Charles Wright Academy (CWA). Always a strong team, they are particularly tough this year. CWA swept the two singles’ spots despite a great effort from Paisley Lieske at no. 1, and at no. 2, where Clara Atwell made her singles debut in a tough situation. The Pirates also lost the first two doubles matches. At no. 1, Lauren Henley/Ashley McArthur played well but dropped their match in strait sets. Tobin Vaughn/Lia Crawford won the first set but then dropped the second and the deciding Tie breaker. The lone Pirates’ win came at no. 3 doubles, where Maggie Battisti/ Sara Cooper took a well earned victory 6-4, 6-4. The Pirates JV teams got in some nice play and gained some good experience, but could not break through for a win.

Friday is a home match against Franklin Pierce, before the team takes a week off for Spring break. After break the team will be busy, traveling to Cascade Christian on April 18, hosting a round robin tournament on Saturday April 20, and then home matches against Fife on the 22nd and CWA on the 23rd.

— Pat Mulvihill is the VHS tennis coach