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| 11/18/2009 10:05:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Ceres High's varsity girls tennis team lost 8-1 to Christian Brothers in the first round of the section playoffs. Bulldog McKenzy Harden (pictured) won her individual match.
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Dawgs drop first-round tennis playoff match
Dale Butler
Staff Reporter/Sports Editor
Christian Brothers ended Ceres High's season last week.
The Sierra Valley Conference runner-up Falcons defeated the Valley Oak League second-seeded Bulldogs 8-1 in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II varsity girls tennis playoffs on Monday, Nov. 9 at Laguna Creek Racquet Club in Elk Grove.
"Our girls gave everything they had," Ceres High head coach Bryan Harden said. "They were much deeper than us."
The loss doesn't diminish the Bulldogs' regular-season accomplishments.
Ceres High compiled a program-best 20-5 overall record, defended its VOL title by winning 15 of 16 matches and participated in the playoffs for the third straight year.
"I'm still very proud of them," Harden said.
The Bulldogs played a three singles-two doubles format during the VOL season.
The playoffs used a 6-3 format, the same as the SVC.
Ceres High, which fielded a less-experienced lineup than Christian Brothers, managed to win just one of nine matches.
McKenzy Harden, the Bulldogs' top singles player, moved to 42-0 on the year after securing a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Ashley Turpen.
Angie Prak lost 6-3, 7-5 to Mary Alice Curran.
Karinna Magana lost 6-0, 6-1 to Katie Marshall.
Jessica Vega lost 6-0, 6-0 to Natalie Dryer.
Kelly Gallagher lost 6-1, 6-0 to Emily Bonsignor.
Elisabeth Canales lost 6-0, 6-1 to Molly Hopcraft.
Ryan Norton and Kaycee Creek lost 6-1, 6-1 to Kate Costa and Haley Havelock in No. 1 doubles play.
Rachel Stump and Christin Ornells lost 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 to Madison McRonald and Ciara Johnson.
Ashton Frampton and Cailan Gaede lost 6-0, 6-2 to Alex Schrick and Cecillia Clotti.
"If we would have played our format, we would have had a chance," coach Harden said.
Ceres High will compete in the Western Athletic Conference in 2010.
The Bulldogs won back-to-back league titles and secured three consecutive playoff berths during their four-year stint in the VOL (2006-09).
Ceres High never got a chance to host a playoff match despite placing first twice. The Bulldogs, who shared conference titles, lost coin flips to Oakdale.
"We would have been more comfortable at home, but I don't think the outcome would have been different," coach Harden said. Rocklin's tough."
The Mustangs lost 7-2 to the visiting Thunder in a first-round playoff tilt last week.
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