A highly anticipated match between Sierra No. 1 doubles tandem Stephanie Vanni and Jena Anderson and East Union No. 1 Shalane Jackson and Klasey Kachalkin went down Thursday at East Union High, and although Sierra’s best was challenged for the first time this season, Anderson and Vanni prevailed, 10-5.
Anderson and Vanni had lost just two of 82 games heading into Thursday.
Sierra also won the team battle, 10.5-4.5.
“I felt Shalane and Klasey competed,” EU head coach Julia Bylow said. “They had some close games, and it was point-for-point.”
Jackson and Kachalkin rebounded for a 10-5 win over Kayla Erion and Maryann Baker.
EU no. 2 Ashley Duenas downed Kelly Fuentes, 6-4, and Meagan McCleary upended Fuentes 6-4.
Sierra's No. 1 and No. 2 players, Ann McFerran and Vannida Nguyen swept.
“Our hats off to coach Whitlock,” Bylow said. “Sierra has faced a lot of adversity this year with their court situation but it hasn’t slowed them down. They are a very solid team.”
The Timberwolves have played every match on the road this season, and can’t practice at home because Sierra’s tennis courts are severely cracked.
Bylow was pleased that the Lancers were able to turn around their performance after a tough match at Ceres Tuesday.
“The girls were able to compete with Sierra,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to give them an even better match the second time around.”
In Lathrop, Manteca’s No. 1 player, Lexi Ziakas dropped just one game in her three sets. Hilary Coleman claimed 6-3, 6-0, 6-0 victories, while Maria Saavedora added 6-2, 6-0, 6-1 wins.
The Buffaloes (3-4, 5-4) were just as dominant in doubles play. Analy Cervantes and Alison Tolman cruised to 10-1 and 10-0 wins, and Manteca’s second doubles pair of Wendy Lin and Valarie Minnarez won 10-3 and 10-0.
Coming off a 13-2 win over Lathrop, the Cougars made it two straight with an impressive victory over the Hawks.
Vy Hoang fell to Jessica Raodriguez, 0-6, before picking up 6-0, 6-2 wins.
Nicole Bowen fell 1-6, to Rodrigez and snagged 6-1, 6-0 wins.
Rodriguez upended Gloria Gonzalez, 0-6, and the Cougar fell 2-6, 3-6 to CV’s No. 2 and No. 3.
Vanessa Paez and Ly Hoang won 10-4, 10-0, and Christian Boklay and Vanessa Canalita won 10-0, 10-5.
“It was a win we needed to help boost our confidence,” Cougars head coach Jason Furtado said. “we knew we could win it, and we did.”
Weston Ranch moved to 3-3 in VOL play and 4-3 overall.
