Varsity Women’s Tennis – Wins California Classic With Perfect 5-0 Record

RECORDS:  7-0 OVERALL, 1-0 WACC, 9-3 JV

MATCH MVP: EVIAN JIANG (’20) – Evian really owned the #1 Singles position at the Cal Classic.  The toughest position on the team, Evian took a hard loss in the first match (0-6, 1-6) before finding her footing and winning the next four matches without losing a set to lead her team to victory.  O’Dowd’s former top players (McCrodens and DeTurks) shared their amazement and joy on social media with the team and Evian’s success.

SUMMARY: An historic tournament victory for O’Dowd – a 5-0 record for a well-deserving Varsity team.  Div 3 was no easier than in years past – somehow this year’s team under the impassioned leadership of Coach Murphy – was able to closely navigate each match to victory.  Starting with a win over SLO Country’s Atascadero, rolling by Cardinal Newman and the host Clovis in 101 degree heat on Friday.  Saturday saw a showdown with undefeated St. Mary’s (Stockton) led by the nationally-ranked Basso girls.  Once again the chips fell O’Dowd’s way as we notched an impressive 5-1 win.  In the final match the Lady Dragons took on host and perennial Fresno-area contender Bullard High School.  Although Bullard placed all their top players in doubles (not against the rules) – O’Dowd was able to win all singles matches and pull a set in doubles for the narrow victory.   Senior Captains Katie Bunn, Lauren Murphy and Sabela Ralston led O’Dowd to the hardware and championship shirts – an amazing time with a few pics attached here.

JV: The JV fought hard to a 3-2 record – with both losses coming via tie-breaker.  Freshman Amy Jayasuriya played brilliantly at #1 singles with a 4-1 record including playing through a very hot environment.  Senior Captains Cami Lent (3-2), Anna Lockhart (4-0) and Lillie Benson (4-0) led the way for the team.  Ultimately the heat proved the difference as Kerman (used to the heat of the Central Valley) outlasted O’Dowd in the Final tiebreaker.

FROSH SOPH: Once again our new players are loaded with talent and mowed down opponents leading up to the final, where the 101 degrees finally caught up with them in a 2-4 final loss to Bakersfield’s Ridgeview High.  Everyone contributed so they will all share the MVP (Frosh: Alexa Allred, Ava Daniel, Soph: Cecily Hayes, Alex Davis, Isi Szuhaj, Natalie Rollo, Sadie McDonnell, Ali Bullock, Roz Van Auker, Ciara Murphy, Emily Blake and Eryn Hennigan).