A tremendous season came to a screeching halt for the final three remaining Area tennis players, as Sierra High’s Vannida Nguyen and doubles team Stephanie Vanni and Maryann Baker were eliminated from the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II Individual Tennis Tournament Thursday in Rocklin.
The Timberwolves were the only members of area programs to advance into the individual tournament but pulled tough draws, closing their season after the tourney’s first round. Nguyen was stopped by Rachel Poty, the Division-II No. 2 seed, 6-2, 6-0.
“Vannida really was able to play well,” Sierra head coach Marti Teunissen said. “She really showed up and was not sitting back waiting on the match to pass her. She stepped up and hit some shots that surprised Poty.
“You could just tell that these players were year-round players.”
Sierra’s dangerous doubles tandem of Vanni and Baker were able to garner slightly more success, nevertheless fell 3-6, 1-6 in first-round action.
“Stephanie was a part of this tournament last year, so she knew what they were up against,” Teunissen said. “She knew that anything after the first-round would be a tough accomplishment.
“The girls played tough, but they ran into a pair of talented singles players who teamed up.”
The trio ended their season at the Johnson Ranch Racquet Club north of Sacramento, against the top two individual singles and doubles players from eight section leagues.
The Timberwolves were the only members of area programs to advance into the individual tournament but pulled tough draws, closing their season after the tourney’s first round. Nguyen was stopped by Rachel Poty, the Division-II No. 2 seed, 6-2, 6-0.
“Vannida really was able to play well,” Sierra head coach Marti Teunissen said. “She really showed up and was not sitting back waiting on the match to pass her. She stepped up and hit some shots that surprised Poty.
“You could just tell that these players were year-round players.”
Sierra’s dangerous doubles tandem of Vanni and Baker were able to garner slightly more success, nevertheless fell 3-6, 1-6 in first-round action.
“Stephanie was a part of this tournament last year, so she knew what they were up against,” Teunissen said. “She knew that anything after the first-round would be a tough accomplishment.
“The girls played tough, but they ran into a pair of talented singles players who teamed up.”
The trio ended their season at the Johnson Ranch Racquet Club north of Sacramento, against the top two individual singles and doubles players from eight section leagues.
