(GILBERT, Ariz.) Gilbert Christian girls tennis won all three of its matches this week, defeating Crismon, Coolidge and Gilbert Classical to improve its record to 7-4 (4-1 Division III Section IV) overall. The Knights are currently ranked second in the division, and 15th in the conference.
Gilbert Classical was the biggest challenge of the week, although the competition was still fairly one-sided, as the Knights cruised to a 6-3 victory.
In the singles' flights, Gilbert Christian's No. 2 through No. 6 prevailed, while the No. 1 flight went into a third tie-breaking set, where junior Kendall Hayes was just edged (2-6, 6-2, 10-8).
Junior Megan Russell was victorious in the two spot with her 6-2, 7-6 effort, and freshman Lauren Kheshvadjian followed suit at No. 3 with a 6-4, 6-0 takedown of her opponent.
Sophomore Sophia Kiesow was particularly dominant in her match-up at number four, besting junior Elaine Tang 6-0, 6-2, and her classmate Hailey Fincher wasn't far behind, posting a 6-1, 6-3 win of her own in the fives' showdown. Finishing off the impressive singles' effort, was No. 6 Kirby Bogen, who took down GCA senior Simi Kan 6-2, 6-1.
The final point of the day came from Kiesow and Kheshvadjian in the second doubles' pairing, where the Knights made easy work of their respective challengers (8-1).
On Tuesday, GCHS traveled to Coolidge, where the Bears failed to produce enough players to compete, and the Knights secured a 9-0 victory by disqualification.
The final match was played Saturday, April 6th at Crismon High School, where Gilbert Christian registered the lopsided 7-2 win.
"Megan Russell, in particular, put up a fierce battle to come up with the win in singles," Head Coach Michele Miller said. "Megan and Kendall Hayes showed true grit while competing in doubles by coming back from being down. They didn't get the W, but I am so proud of their fire and tenacity. I also want to highlight Scarlett Carr, Ava Good, and Emmalyse Henry, who competed against Crismon's JV team, for showing their skills and winning on the court."
Russell earned her hard-fought point in the No. 2 singles' flight, edging her Rattlers' counterpart in three sets (2-6, 6-1, 10-8) to tally the come-from-behind victory.
Kheshvadjian, Kiesow, Fincher and Bogen made easy work of their opponents, with Kiesow not allowing a point in the fours' pairing, and Bogen surrendering just one in the six slot.
In doubles' play, Gilbert Christian picked up points in the No. 2 battle, where Kheshvadjian and Kiesow won 8-4, and in the No. 3 contest, where Bogen and Fincher bested Crismon's Riley Revolt and Montiel handily (8-1).
The Knights final regular season match of the year is scheduled for 2:45pm on Tuesday, April 16th. The team will host Miami at the Gene Autry Sports Complex.
-GO KNIGHTS-
