The style points did not go to East Union’s girls tennis team Tuesday when it opened the Valley Oak League season with visiting rival Sierra.

The victory, however, did.

East Union’s top four players lost, but the Lancers still managed to win, 5-4. And they did so with practice basketball jerseys on because their match-day outfits had not arrived yet.

East Union picked up three quick points in doubles play. The top pair of Alexis Phillips and Mandi Roberts prevailed 6-1, 6-4, while No. 2s Tabatha Barrington and Marissa Moreno won 6-4, 6-1. Astrid Hernandez and Faviola Magana coasted 6-0, 6-0. Araceli Gonzalez (6-3, 6-3) and Nayeli Del Rio (6-3, 6-2) earned the singles points for the Lancers.

The top third of the ladder provided the most competitive matches, all claimed by Sierra. Anna Cardenas edged EU’s Brooke Niendorf 7-6 (7-3), 7-5) in the battle of No. 1s. Annie Banks defeated Maddie Yslava 7-5, 7-5, Simran Thind took care of Deanna Baker 6-2, 6-1 and freshman Claire Banks squeaked past Olivia Vezaldenos 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

The difference may have been the absence of Naomi Nunis, Sierra’s projected No. 1 overall player who is out after undergoing knee surgery.



W. Ranch 7, Oakdale 2

In Stockton, the Cougars’ No. 1 tandem of Christine Novoa and Amy Vang gutted out a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 win with a third-set tiebreaker. Yesenia Reynoso registered Weston Ranch’s other team point with a three-set victory (6-0, 4-6, 6-4) in the No. 5 singles matchup.

Delarine Barut (4-6, 2-6), Danica Ramos (4-6, 3-6), Kazoua Vang (5-7, 4-6) and Preet Kaur (4-6, 4-6) also had opportunities to contribute in tight contests.

“The match was a lot closer than the score appears,” Weston Ranch coach Ron Bylow said. “Many of the games went to deuce and we just did not win the bigger points. We will improve and get better with experience.”



Kimball 8, Lathrop 1

In Lathrop, Jenna Magaoay defeated Cher Lin 7-6 (7-5) to account for the Spartans’ lone point. Danielle Osoteo narrowly lost an eight-game pro set at No. 4 singles, 5-8.