The Highline women’s tennis team beat archrival Bellevue 8-1 last Friday.
The ladies won five out of six singles matches, and all three doubles matches. Bellevue was short-handed and forfeited one singles and one doubles match, and suffered an injury in the middle of a singles match.
“The Bellevue players were talented and we faced some styles of play that we have not seen much yet this season,” said Head Coach Laura Rosa. “I was really pleased with the discipline of the T-Birds to trust our game plan enough to stick to it even in close matches.”
Bellevue has won 14 out of the last 15 NWAC tennis championships, including the last six in a row. Highline has finished second the last three years the tournament has been held.
This time, however, Highline was in control. T-Birds Mia Rosa, Celeste Parker, Andrea Guiton, Princess Ventura and Daniela Maqueda all won their singles matches. Ventura beat Bellevue’s Emily Habib in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
No. 3 singles player Selah Carlisle said despite knowing that Bellevue would have to forfeit two matches, she and her teammates took their task seriously.
“This match was our first match against a team in our conference,” she said. “We knew going into the match that Bellevue was down a player so we were already up 2-0, but it was important for the team and I to not let this change the way we played. We knew the first two doubles matches were very important and we needed to stay focused.”
At No. 2 doubles, Carlisle and partner Andrea Guiton were able to turn back Bellevue’s Mangkornkeo and Mueller, 9-7.
“I think that I improved in my doubles match,” Carlisle said. “My partner and I had better communication and we knew what we needed to do and we held good energy through the whole match.”
“Every match helps me become a better player in different ways,” she said. “My singles match was challenging, but it gave me a good chance to play against a player that was good at the net. This made me realize I need to practice against these types of players more and learn better ways to play against them. I am very proud of my team for playing so well in this match and encouraging each other through it all.”
After playing four matches in only a week, the T-Birds now get a little break before resuming play later this month.
“A two-week break from matches is coming at the perfect time for us, it will allow us to slow down the physicality a little and work on refining some strokes and doubles strategy,” said Coach Rosa. “It also gives the coaching staff time to work on serving technique in smaller groups.”
Highline’s next up is March 19 against Spokane College at 8 a.m in the Boeing Tennis Club.
