Tennis: Coupeville tames Granite Falls, 3-2

The Coupeville girls tennis team started its season with its second straight win by defeating visiting Granite Falls 3-2 Monday, March 22.

Julia Sierra Castaño took the first singles match 6-1, 6-3. Coach Ken Stange said Castaño "was in control the entire way, moving her opponent around the court and hitting deep balls that forced errors from her opponent. Julia has yet to drop a set this year."

Marie Hesselgrave won the second singles match in exciting fashion, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. Stange said, "She earned it the hard way by outlasting her opponent in a match that lasted close to two hours. I was proud of Marie's perseverance after dropping a close second set."

The No. 3 doubles pair of Amanda d'Almeida and Jessica Riddle grabbed the Wolves' third point by winning 6-2, 6-3.

In No. 1 doubles, Jordan Adkins and Jessica Blanchette "lost a heartbreaker of a match" 7-5, 6-7(3), 4-6. Stange said, "In a match that lasted two-and-a-half hours, all four players gave maximum effort."

Lily Doyle and Lexi Blanchette fell in third doubles 4-6, 6-7(6). Stange said, "The points were fast paced and many shots were crisp. As the season progresses, I expect Lily and Lexi will find their consistency and pose real problems for their future opponents."

Summing-up the match, Stange said, "All in all, it was a good match. I was pleased to see that Julia and Jessica/Amanda were able to control the pace and tempo of their matches from the beginning. Marie's effort at No. 2

singles was especially inspiring."

The Wolves travel to South Whidbey Thursday, March 25, for a 3:30 p.m. match.

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

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