For the sixth time in a row, Templeton is the only team standing in the way of a Valley Championship and perfect season in girls’ tennis.

The girls’ tennis team once again duplicated a winning season this year, going undefeated in West Sierra League [WSL] and overall team play. Behind seniors Michelle Smith and Katherine Babcock, this years’ team is primed for the Valley Championship showdown with Templeton on Nov. 6 in the California Interscholastic Federation tournament [CIF].

“This is the strongest team to ever compete in Fresno Christian history,” George Freeman, head coach, said. “They are doing things that have never been done before, and it will be exciting to see how we match up to other teams in the tournament.”

Earlier the girls’ tennis team defeated No. 7 seed McFarland on Nov. 4, advancing them to the team CIF Division V finals against Templeton. The match begins at 1 P.M. at Copper River Golf and Country Club.

The tennis team last won a Valley Championship in 1999, defeating Templeton 5-4. The Eagles also beat Coast Union in 1997 and Templeton in 1998.

The Eagles’ record currently is17-0 overall and 12-0 in the West Sierra League.

In other action…

During the CIF Individual Valley tournament in Tulare, Smith was seeded No. 16 and won both her matches. In singles, Smith defeated Karen Sidhu from Kerman and Megan Terzian from San Joaquin Memorial. Smith will continue individual play and will face the No. 1 seed, Elizabeth Bidart, from Bakersfield in the next round on Nov. 7 at Tulare Union High School.

“I’ve performed much better this year than in the past,” Smith said. “As a senior, I’d hope that this year I could ascend above my previous success and I hope to continue that on Friday.”

In another individual match, Babcock defeated Ashley Hageman from Centennial High in the first round, but went on to be defeated by No. 9 seed Heidi Chou.

“It was a tough match and I played my best,” Babcock said. “Congratulations to the girls who made it past round two, and good luck in round three.”

The doubles team of Ashley Sherr, ’06, and Hillary Kell, ’05, made school history by being the only doubles team to make it past the first two rounds. In the same tournament, they defeated the doubles team from Wasco, advancing to the second round, and later defeated the No. 9 seeded duo from Clovis High School.

Sherr and Kell will continue doubles match play on Nov. 7 at 11:30 A.M. at Tulare Union High against the No. 8 seed team from Bullard High.

For more information on the girls’ tennis team, call Freeman at 299-1695, ext. 122.