GIRLS’ TENNIS SPORT SHORTS, 2009–
(Latest tennis shorts will be at the top of the section. Scroll down to view past results. Tournament games do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for tennis features.) For more information, check out the 2008 schedule. The Eagles finished the season at 3-13 overall and 3-9 in the West Sequoia League.

GIRLS’ TENNIS, 2009

SEASON END

FREA CONTENDS AT CIF VALLEY INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP–Oct. 31
After winning the West Sequoia League Individual title, freshman Allie Frea moved on the play in the CIF Division V Valley Individual Championship, Nov. 3.

Though she opened strong against her opponent from Liberty, Frea lost momentum and let opportunities slip away down the stretch, eventually losing 2-0 (2-6, 0-6).

“I won the first two games and felt confident about my play.” Frea said. “The next game I lost, and continued to lose for the rest of the match. My opponent played well, and I think she saw that I was losing consistency and used it to benefit herself.”

Frea concluded her inaugural high school season with a 13-6 overall record in singles play.

“While playing, I let doubt get in my way,” said Frea “I began to get down on myself and slowed my foot work. My coach tried to make me realize I was still in the match, but by that time it was all over.”

CIF CENTRAL SECTION DIVISION V TEAM PLAYOFFS–Oct. 27
By dropping only one of nice matches, the Woodlake Tigers eliminated FC in the first round of the CIF Central Section Team Playoffs with an 8-1 victory, Oct. 27.

In No. 1 singles play, freshman Allie Frea lost her first outing in four matches, but still boasts a 13-5 overall record. Following in the wake of their top player, each of the Eagles went on to lose their matches.

However, FC bounced back with a (6-3, 6-3) win from Frea and sophomore Julianne King in doubles. Though FC’s season ended as a team, Frea will advance to play in the CIF Individual Tournament in Bakersfield, Oct. 31.

WSL DIVISION V INDIVIDUAL/DOUBLES FINALS–Oct. 24
Upon the completion of regular season play, FC showed up for the West Sequoia League Singles/Doubles Tournament at Fresno City College with their top three players, Oct. 24.

Freshman Kristen Rosenthal and sophomore Julianne King competed in the doubles competition, while Frea entered singles play as the lone Eagle. Because of her performance in league this season, Frea earned a No. 1 seed and a first round bye.

Rosenthal and King had never taken the court as a doubles teams before, represented FC against Fowler. The Blue Raiders opened strongly, defeating the Eagles’ pair 8-4.

“They were very skilled and had alot of experience,” Rosenthal said. “We kept hitting the ball to their net person, and the points ended quicker. We got a little discouraged and did not play as aggressively as we should have.”

Meanwhile, Frea was racking up wins in the individual tournament. After opening with a 8-2 win over Dos Palos junior Sarah Rivera, she went on to defeat Caruthers sophomore Shanaz Purwal 6-0, 6-0.

“I was very confident in my play because I had beaten my opponent two times before,” Frea said. “By the end of the second round, I was getting tired but had one more round to go. Coach advised me to stay aggressive the whole time during the final match.”

In the Championship, Frea took on Fowler senior Cara Eskelson. Unlike Frea who had only a 5 minute break after her previous match, Eskelson had rested for an hour.

Despite this disadvantage, Fea controlled the match from start to finish for a 6-1, 6-3 win over Eskelson. With the victory, she will advance to play in the CIF Individual Tournament in Bakersfield, Oct. 31.

“I was very happy to win first place, and felt it was harder than I expected it to be,” Frea said. “Each match I had to adjust my playing style due to playing different opponents. I am nervous about the CIF tournament but I will give it my best shot.”

FC will next take on Woodlake in the Central Section playoffs, Oct. 27, 2:30 p.m.

CARUTHERS GAINS ADVANTAGE IN SINGLES PLAY
The Caruthers Blue Raiders won four of six singles matches and never looked back, beating FC 5-4, Oct. 22.

The Eagles’ No. 1 freshman Allie Frea defeated Caruthers sophomore Shanaz Purewal 8-0, and freshman Kristen Rosenthal also held on for a 8-5 win in No. 3 singles. Despite their effort, the Blue Raiders took the rest of the singles matches.

In No. 2 singles, Julianne King lost 4-8, while senior Da Eun Sunwoo fell 6-8 and junior Hannah Palmer 5-8. FC was forced to forfeit the No. 6 singles match due to having an incomplete team.

“Today’s match was a very tough match to lose,” head coach Brittany Salley said. “We started off with a disadvantage due to having an incomplete team, putting us down a game at the start. We fought hard in singles but still ended up behing two to four.”

The Eagles won two of three doubles matches, but it would not be enough to overtake Caruthers. Frea and King defeated their opponents 8-4, and Palmer and sophomore Brandi Thompson won 8-5.

“We fought hard and played well,” Salley said. “The match was very close until the very end despite our having to forfeit a match in the beginning. The girls have nothing to be ashamed of.”

FC will next play in the Central Section playoffs, Oct. 27. Their opponent is TBA.

BRONCOS OVERCOME FC–Oct. 20
Despite wins from their top three players, the Eagles lost 6-3 to the Dos Palos Broncos, Oct. 22.

“Today’s match was close all the way to the end,” head coach Brittany Salley said. “I could not have asked the girls to do anymore than they did today.”

In No. 1 singles play, freshman Allie Frea won 8-1, and sophomore Julianne King (an 8-6 winner) and freshman Kristen Rosethal (who won 8-7 (2)) followed suit. But the Redcats overpowered the bottom half of the FC lineup to even the match at three games apiece.

Both Rosenthal and King lost to the same singles opponent in the teams’ prior meeting Sept. 24, but rallied to win their matches this time around.

“Two player I want to highlight are Kristen and Julianne,” Salley said. “Both girls showed great poise on the court and held it together when the match became tight. They stepped up and came out on top.”

Fowler then won all three doubles matches to take the win. Though they lost, the Eagles put up a fight in both No. 1 and No. 3 doubles.

In No. 1 doubles play, Frea and King lost 7-8 (4) in a tie-breaker, and junior Hannah Palmer and sophomore Emily Daniel fell by the exact same score just two courts down.

FC will next play Caruthers, Oct. 22.

REDCATS STARE DOWN EAGLES–Oct. 15
Missing 2 of their top 6 players, FC dropped their third straight game to Fowler, 6-3, Oct. 15.

“Because we were missing some of our players today it switched up our line up,” head coach Brittany Salley said. “Almost all of the girls were in positions that they were not used to playing in, so for the match to be close and to see the girls play so well was awesome.”

Some of FC’s top players, freshmen Kristen Rosenthal and Valencia Stephens, lost their singles matches 5-8 and 3-8 respectively. However, sophomore Brandi Thompson and Allie Frea provided a spark with the Eagles’ only two wins, 8-4 and 8-2.

Doubles would also not go FC’s way, as Fowler took two of three matches. Though Frea and Rosenthal broke through for an 8-5 win, sophomore Nicole Hensley and Thompson lost 5-8, and sophomores Rachel Dadian and Emily Daniel 2-8.

FC will next host Dos Palos, Oct. 20

FIREBAUGH PREVAILS IN BATTLE OF LEAGUE RIVALS–Oct. 6
Once again, the Eagles came out on the short end of a league match-up with Firebaugh, losing 2-7, Oct. 6.

While the match may seem like a blowout because of the score, head coach Brittany Salley says it was much closer than that.

“It was a tough loss today for us,” Salley said. “Even though the score may not show it, the match was very close. There were many games that went to deuce and in the case of first doubles, a tie breaker. The girls did however improve since the first time we played Firebaugh.”

The only two matches FC came out on top in were No. 1 and 3 singles. Freshmen Allie Frea (8-5) and Kristen Rosenthal (8-2) handily defeated their opponents to score the points for the Eagles.

Rosenthal made quick work of her opponent, and was the first player off the court after her win. At the end of the day, the Eagle’s No. 3 was their only unbeaten player in the match.

“Kristen was hitting the ball well today,” Salley said, “and did a great job at keeping to a strategy that worked, not changing her game under pressure or trying to play at the level of her opponent. She played how she knows how to play, which resulted in her win today.”

While the Eagle’s record may be 3-8 overall, Frea’s individual tally improved to 8-3 with her 5th straight singles victory. She and sophomore partner Julianne King barely lost their doubles match 7-8 (3) in a tie-breaker.

FC SUFFERS ANOTHER CLOSE DEFEAT–Oct. 1
In a close league battle, FC lost 5-4 for the second time this season, to Riverdale, Oct. 1.

“Today was a very tight match,” head coach Brittany Salley said. “I feel like the teams were evenly matched. It was tied 3-3 going into doubles and it came down to the second doubles match in order to decide the winner. We came up a bit short, but all of the girls fought hard and played well under pressure.”

In singles play, freshman No. 1 Allie Frea won 8-2, sophomore Julianne King 8-3, and freshman Kristen Rosethal 8-4.

“Our match against Riverdale was a close but hard-fought loss. Julianne and I had a tough doubles match,” Frea said. “We played girls who had good net play and powerful serves.”

Rosenthal says an “off day” for the team mostly contributed to the loss.

“We tried our best, but in the end Riverdale had a bigger advantage,” Rosenthal said. “If it was any other day, I bet we would’ve won.”

Though both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles lost their matches, FC’s No. 3 team junior Hannah Palmer and sophomore Emily Daniel won 8-1.

“We had to look for our opponents weakness, and we found that they couldn’t handle high shots,” Daniel said. “I scored a lot of points and was pretty pleased with my performance. Usually I’m a fill-in if one of our players can’t make it but I’m hoping to play more matches in the future.”

The match marked the Daniel’s second appearance this season and her first victory.

“Our player of the game would have to be Emily,” Salley said. “She stepped up despite being put in at third doubles at the last minute. She played very well, stuck to the strategy that worked and moved the ball around well.”

EAGLES CRUSH BUCCANEERS –Sept. 29
While they lost in their previous 4 outings, the Eagles broke through for an 8-1 win over Avenal, Sept. 29.

“I am very proud of the way we have played the past few matches,” head coach Brittany Salley said. “We may not be on top in the league, but the players are improving every match. Everyone works hard on and off the court and their hard work paid off today.”

In No. 1 singles play, freshman Allie Frea improved her overall record to 6-3 with an 8-1 victory over Avenal No. 1 Cristina Gomez. In the other singles matches, sophomore Julianne King lost 8-7 (1), sophomore Nicole Hensley won 8-6, senior Da Eun Sunwoo won 8-5, freshman Valencia Stephens won 8-7 (7), and junior Hannah Palmer won 8-0.

Frea teamed with King to win a close No. 1 doubles match 8-7 (3), while the team of Hensley/ sophomore Brandi Thompson won 8-6, and Palmer/ sophomore Rachel Dadian won 8-2.

King said she consistently plays better with a partner, and enjoys playing doubles more than singles.

“I always play better with a doubles partner,” King said. “With Allie, I know she has my back and together we are able to take risks on air shots and serves. We work well together.”

Salley highlighted King’s performance, while also praising Stephens who filled in for freshman Kristin Rosethal, who was unable to compete at the match.

“Players that deserve honorable mention are Julianne and Valencia,” Salley said. “Julianne lost in a her singles match, but played tough in doubles to win in a tie breaker. Valencia also won her match in a tie breaker, and played excellent today. She didn’t let the score get to her and went hard for every ball.”

After compiling a 3-5 record in singles while playing out of the No. 5 slot, Hensley moved up to No. 4 and says she is looking forward to playing better competition. She started off well in her new position with a win over her opponent from Avenal.

“I lost my lead,” Hensley said. “but I still knew I could beat my opponent, because we were the same skill level. I just focused on winning one game at a time in order to win.”

BRONCOS SURGE PAST SLUMPING FC–Sept. 24
Though they played Dos Palos close, the Eagles were defeated 5-4, Sept. 24 ? their fourth straight loss.

“I felt like the teams were evenly matched today,” head coach Brittany Salley said. “Every player showed great heart and determination. It simply came down to who had the patience and strategy to finish the point and outlast their opponent.”

FC faltered in singles play, winning only 2 of 6 matches. Freshman No. 1 Allie Frea dominated in route to an 8-0 win over her top opponent, and senior Da Eun Sunwoo also won 8-7 (4).

“Allie kept her composure and held it together in order to finish off her opponent quickly,” Salley said. “Sometimes in tennis, you get ahead by a large margin and start to slack off, letting the other player think they still have a chance at winning. Allie does not allow this to happen. She can recognize strengths and weaknesses of players and move her opponent around, controlling the point.”

Several matches could have gone either way, but in the end the Broncos won the close games. Freshman Kristin Rosethal and sophomore Nicole Hensley both dropped their singles matches 7-8, with Rosenthal’s going to a tie-breaker.

“I didn’t start my match very well and feel behind 3-1,” Hensley said. “I struggled with consistency and my opponent didn’t. However, late in the match I started to catch up and got to deuce after I got back to 6-7. But I couldn’t get the match to the tie-breaker. But I did challenge her as the match wore on.”

A win from either player would have reversed the overall outcome and given the Eagles the win.

In doubles, FC controlled two matches, with the top two doulbles teams of Frea and sophomore Julianne King and freshman/sophomore team of Kristin Rosenthal/Brandi Thompson. FC’s No. 1 doubles team came back from a 0-4 deficit to take the win.

“In singles, the girl I played against had a real powerful serve and a consistent forehand,” King said. “I made it easy for her to return a forehand by hitting into the middle of the court. I need to learn to hit to my opponent’s backhand more.”

However, King and her partner changed their strategy in their doubles match.

“We took advantage of our opponents wanting to play at the net and we keep hitting to the open space,” King said. “We took what they gave us and won the match.”

Salley predicted the Eagles would come back stronger in the second half of the season due to added exposure to the sport.

“A lot of our girls have never played tennis before and the fact that we are keeping the matches close is quite an achievement,” Salley said. “We are at mid-season and I think the second time around they will surprise some teams from previous matches.”

REDCATS TOPPLE EAGLES–Sept. 22
Despite a hard fought match according to head coach Brittany Salley. Fowler defeated FC, 6-3, on Sept. 22.

Freshman Allie Frea won, 8-7 (7-4), and sophomores Julianne King and Nicole Hensley won, 8-4, and 8-7 (7-2) respectively.

“During my match, I fell behind, 4-0,” Hensley said. “I knew I could beat my opponent, so I did whatever I could to win the next match. My opponent started making mistakes and I came back and ended up winning in a tie-breaker.”

Taking a different route than Frea and Hensley, who both staged late comebacks in their matches, King controlled the tempo of hers from start to finish.

“Two of our players came back to win their matches in tie-breakers after trailing for the majority of the match,” Salley said. ” Julianne dominated almost the entire match, staying strong at the end in order to close out the match.”

King commented on Fowler’s ability to adjust midstream to the Eagle game-plan.

“I think that our team played well, but the other team spotted our weaknesses,” King said. “Allie and I usually win our doubles match because of our ability to play at the net. The other team saw this and avoided hitting it at our net player.”

After halving the singles matches 3 apiece, the Eagles fell in all 3 doubles matches, as the Redcats pulled away. However the match remained close untill the end according to Salley.

“The match could have gone either way,” Salley said. “There were a few key points missed here and there, but our girls fought hard and just came up a bit short.”

FC BEAT BY COAST TEAMS–Sept. 18-19
After a close win over Caruthers, the Eagles could not defeat Coast Union or Mission Prep, falling 3-6 and 0-9, respectively.

Vs. Mission Prep, freshman Allie Frea lost 1-8, while senior Da Eun Sunwoo finished 2-8.

Freshman Kristen Rosenthal (0-8), says several circumstances contributed to the loss.

“I think that we did not have enough experience to beat them, so that is why we lost,” Rosenthal said. “The team was also tired from that drive up, some had just eaten fast food, and others did not eat lunch at all. Their team was also very skilled.”

After sitting out singles play, sophomore Brandi Thompson competed with Rosenthal on the Eagles’ no. 2 doubles team.

“I think Kristen and I did a good job against a good team,” Thompson said. “But overall we did good for keeping our spirits up and not being disappointed that we lost.”

Despite being swept at Mission Prep, the team used the trip to bond and unite in preparation for the many games ahead.

“After our match against Mission Prep we had bonding time at dinner and in the hotel room,” Sunwoo said. “We figured out that our individual match was not just for ourselves, but also for our team. At the Coast Union game we put that thought in our mind to play for the team before ourselves. We became closer and felt like one team. This trip wasn’t just any trip; it made more like a team.”

Frea, who won in doubles 8-5, with sophomore partner Julianne King, at Coast Union, says she is optimistic about the new team’s season, despite the losses.

?I think that our whole team played well fought matches,” Frea said. “Improvement comes from practice and that is exactly what this match was for. As a newly formed team, playing an experienced team is difficult, but it will only make us better. We are very happy that we were able to pull out a win in doubles and two wins in singles.?

EAGLES EDGE CARUTHERS–Sept. 17
In a closely fought match, FC defeated Caruthers, 5-4, Sept. 17.

“This match was a very good match for us,” head coach Brittany Salley said. “The girls found a way to come back when they were down. I was very impressed with how all of the girls kept fighting even if they were losing.”

FC started slowly, winning only 2 of their 6 singles matches. Freshman Allie Frea (8-2) and sophomore Nicole Hensley (8-6) achieved the only wins for the Eagles.

However, FC battled back in doubles to gain a single game advantage and win the match.

“We were behind early in singles, but we came back in doubles,” Frea said. “In doubles we had more competition. Throughout the game it was tied but then finally in the end we won.”

After winning her singles match, Frea teamed with sophomore Julianne King to win 8-5 in doubles. The teams of Hensley and sophomore Brandi Thompson won 8-2, and sophomore Rachel Dadian and freshman Valencia Stephens finished off an 8-6 victory as FC completed their comeback.

“The standout player of the match was Hannah (Palmer),” Salley said. “She ended up losing her match, but played awesome. She had great sportsman ship and poise throughout the entire match.”

EAGLES GET ROUGHED UP BY FIREBAUGH–Sept. 10
Missed opportunities and a lack of enthusiasm let to FC’s downfall during their 8-1 loss to Firebaugh, Sept. 10.

The Eagles lost every singles match and scored their lone point with the win of freshman Kristin Rosenthal and sophomore Brandi Thompson’s 8-5 victory in doubles.

“We are a young and less experienced team and it showed today as we played against a team where the majority of the girls are juniors and seniors,” head coach Brittany Salley said. “We are really going to have to work on consistency and staying in a point long enough in order to wear the opponent down and finish the point when the opportunity comes, not before.”

Thompson helped FC win its only point while playing in her first match of the season.

“Brandi played very well at second doubles today,” Salley said. “I like that she is an aggressive player that is willing to take risks. Taking risks and finishing the point is a key aspect to playing doubles and she does it very well.”

RIVERDALE BESTS EAGLES IN OPENING LEAGUE MATCH–Sept. 8
Despite a good start according to head coach Brittany Salley, FC dropped points at crunch time, eventually losing to Riverdale, 6-3, Sept. 8.

“I felt that all of the girls started off well in their matches, but as the match progressed they seemed to get a bit too comfortable with being ahead,” Salley said. “We simply had a problem with taking advantage of the lead and finishing off the match. We need to learn, as a team, how to convert key points.”

FC’s lone singles win came from freshmen Allie Frea, who defeated her opponent 8-1.

“Allie played very well today,” Salley said. “Playing number one your freshman year is quite an achievement and she has shown that she deserves her spot just by the way she gives her all every time she steps foot on the court. She may be young, but she is a great representative and leader of our team.”

The Eagles bounced back in doubles play picking up 2 wins. Frea teamed with sophomore Julianne King to win 9-7, while freshman Valencia Stephens and sophomore Rachel Dadian won, 8-0.

FC BLOWS PAST AVENAL IN SCRIMMAGE–Sept. 3
After dropping their first scrimmage of the season to Sanger, the Eagles bounced back with a 7-2 victory over Avenal, Sept. 3.

“I was very proud of the way the girls handled this match,” head coach Brittany Salley said. “They came back with a renewed confidence and fought for the win. We had a couple of close matches, which could have gone either way, but the girls did a great job of keeping their composure and ultimately finding a way to win.”

Freshman Allie Frea led the team in No. 1 singles play with an 8-6 victory, freshman Kristin Rosenthal won 9-8, sophomore Nicole Hensley won 8-0, and senior DaEun Sunwoo won 9-5, as FC snatched their first win of the season.

In doubles, Frea and King won 8-3, Rosenthal and Palmer won 9-7 and freshmen Valencia Stephens and sophomore Rachel Dadian won 8-5.