The two teams tie 4-4 in sets, but the Lions win 85-68 in games on Wednesday.
Every set, every game and every point.
Everything mattered during the West Linn girls tennis team’s 4-4 (85-68 in games) victory over Lakeridge at West Linn High School on Wednesday, March 15.
The Lions built their win on the strength of their three victories in doubles, one “W” in singles and its overall edge in games won.
The win lifted West Linn’s record to 1-0 in Three Rivers League action and 1-0 overall, while the Pacers fell to 0-1 in the TRL and 1-1 overall after opening the spring season with a 5-3 victory over Central Catholic on Tuesday, March 14.
“I was overall very proud of everyone on my team,” said Lakeridge sophomore Jessica Paulsen, who won in straight sets at first singles. “We all played really well against West Linn and they are a very good team. (They made) us work harder and focus on better tennis overall.”
The Lions posted “Ws” at first, second and fourth doubles, with senior Kate and Med Devall leading the way with a 6-0, 6-0 sweep of Lakeridge seniors Taylor Wright and Eleni Antonis at No. 1.
In their win at No. 2 doubles, the Lions saw junior Caroline Nielsen and senior Katelyn Drew battle past Pacer junior Taliya Greenfield and sophomore Grace Roddan 7-5, 7-5. And at fourth doubles, WL seniors Kaydence Monsoon and Ameilia Brown knocked off LR junior Kiley McClain and senior Callie Walton 6-4, 6-1.
The Lions’ other win came at second singles, where sophomore Sonya Drayton raced past Pacer senior Catherine Agan 6-2, 6-0.
Lakeridge, meanwhile, answered with wins at first, third and fourth singles and third doubles, with Paulsen stepping up to beat West Linn senior Kate Bucher 7-5, 6-2.
“I felt like I played well today,” Paulsen said. “I felt nervous in the first set when it was super close, but in the second set, I got more comfortable and made better shots.”
At No. 3 singles, Pacer freshman Nicole Babitskaya won a tough two-setter over Lion junior Kiho Ishiguro 6-3, 7-5. And at No. 4, LR junior Luciana Desanto beat WL sophomore Rhianna Patel 7-5, 7-6 in the closest singles match of the day.
The Pacers’ lone doubles win came at No. 3 where the freshman team of Sarah Agan and Kat Papasouliotis won the match’s lone three-setter over Lion junior Ella Owens and senior Erin Drew 6-3, 4-6, 1-0.
Next up, the Lions will face Sunset in non-league play at Sunset High School at 4 p.m. Friday, March 17. The Pacers, meanwhile, will host Aloha in non-league action at Lakeridge High School at 4 p.m. Monday, March 20.
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