West Ranch and Valencia thrive at Foothill League preliminaries

Share on facebook
Share
Share on twitter
Tweet
Share on email
Email

It was just over a week ago when Valencia and West Ranch met with the Foothill League title on the line and the Wildcats prevailing for a second straight year.

The two powers will again be front and center today as they’re the lone teams remaining in the Foothill League girls tennis finals after Tuesday’s preliminaries.

Each team will open the final day of competition with two players in the singles semifinals. West Ranch’s Jordyn McBride will face off against Valencia’s Brenna Whelan while Shaira Busnawi will represent the Wildcats against the Vikings’ Jennifer Shin.

MORE: Prep tennis roundup: West Ranch clinches Foothill League title

West Ranch gained a leg up in doubles play following a grueling set win by Danielle Hettinger and Chase Eisenberg over Valencia’s Taylor Cohen and Nicole Stefani, which lasted over an hour in temperatures hovering around 100 degrees.

Hettinger and Eisenberg will draw teammates Oliva Bloome and Nicole Alvarez in the semifinals.

“We really just felt the team spirit today, seeing everybody moving on through the rounds,” McBride said. “I think we kind of carried that momentum from beating Valencia into today.”

Valencia partnered its top two singles players, Amanda Tabanera and Carlotta Nonnis Marzano, and they advanced to the semifinals against West Ranch’s Audrey Kim and Emily Andrews.

“(Nonnis Marzano and Tabanera) have a great connection off the court and I think that’s a key for them when they team up,” said Valencia coach Annie Kellogg. “They’ve had that experience at other tournaments this year, too, so we wanted to try it out again.”

Hart’s doubles team of Sarah Backer and Shannon Sindle were the last players standing for the Indians before being overtaken by Kim and Andrews. The Indians still hold a playoff spot after a third-place finish in league.

Saugus’ Emily Christensen, Golden Valley’s Kirsten Azarraga and Canyon’s Amanda Yeam all picked up wins before being eliminated in the quarterfinals.

“That’s what happens when you get into tournaments like this,” said Golden Valley coach Josh Stimac. “You get that first win but then you run into a seeded player in the next round.”

Play will resume at 11 a.m. today at Paseo Club.

Related To This Story

Latest NEWS