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NEWPORT – The Newport Grizzlies boys’ and girls’ tennis teams both won Northeast A League championships, with the girls finishing with a 10-2 record and the boys 8-2.
“This is such an amazing way to end the regular season,” Newport coach Brandon McDaniel says. He said he thought they might have a chance to win the league, but the NEA is tough, so he didn’t know until the matches are over.
“Our kids fought tooth and nail each week and had to step up mentally for both the boys and girls success and they all rose to the occasion,” he says.
The girls’ last match was with Colville, which they won 4-1, finishing the rain delayed match Monday.
Sophia Stott and Izzy Newman won their singles matches in two sets. Marisa Dahl and Jerron Lyon took the match to three sets at No. 2 doubles but didn’t get the win. Ally Sears and Olivia Sears won the first set at No. 1 doubles when the match was rained out. Because of testing conflicts, Colville ended up forfeiting that match and the No. 3 doubles match.
April 29 the girls played Lakeside, losing 3-2. Stott and Newman won their singles matches but all three doubles teams lost.
Friday, May 3, the girls played Deer Park.
“The girls were able to come back and beat a really good Deer Park team 3-2 after losing the first matchup 0-5,” McDaniel says.
Stott got a morale boosting win at No. 1 singles.
“Sophia was able to defeat the only opponent she hadn’t beaten at Deer Park,” he says, defeating the Stags’ Ava VanVeen.
The Sears sisters won at No. 1 doubles in two sets, Lyon and Dahl lost in two at No. 2 doubles and Emmalle Doughty and Ashlynne Robinson won in two sets at No. 3 doubles.
“Our girls’ doubles are playing some really strong tennis right now and it couldn’t come at a better time as we enter the postseason,” McDAneil says.
For the boys, Will Mc-Daniel and Jeffrey Pierson finished off their last two matches with wins to remain undefeated in league play. They will go into the district tournament this weekend as the No. 1 seed.
Coach McDaniel says the No. 3 doubles team is also looking strong.
“Vance Vooge and Johnny Huang are teaming up to be a great No. 3 doubles for us and continue to get better each match,” McDaniel says. “Our boys should have a shot to take the district tournament if we can stay focused and on track this weekend.”
Against Lakeside, Preston Davis won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles. Luke Wright took his match to three sets but lost the third set 7-5.
All three doubles teams won in two sets.
The Newport boys team swept Deer Park 5-0.
Next up is districts Friday and Saturday at Mead.
“I feel really good about our chances at districts and look forward to seeing them compete for that post-season play,” McDaniel says. “They are excited and confident and with what they have accomplished this year, they have earned the right to be confident heading into a tournament like this.”
