For the first time in quite a while, the Carson High girls tennis team may have a shot at beating Reno High.
Carson (7-0) continued to build confidence with an impressive 36-9 win over Manogue on Tuesday at Centennial Park. The Senators will host Reno on Thursday in a match that could decide the Sierra League title.
Reno defeated Manogue 41-4, so based on comparative scores at least, there's a glimmer of hope that Carson can be competitive with the Huskies. It's believed that Carson hasn't beaten Reno in girls tennis in over 30 years.
Based on Tuesday's performance, Carson coach Diane Baker also has plenty of options against Reno.
"We did OK here," said Baker about the lineup against Manogue. "I don't know what we're going to do. I think we're looking better Thursday with today's win."
Baker said one key will be how consistent her team serves. "We have some girls with some awesome serves," she said.
Staci Cobler and Jenae Jeppson and Katie Elverum and Amber Whitworth continued to play well in doubles for Carson as both teams swept on Tuesday. Cobler and Jeppson won 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 and Whitworth and Elverum won 6-1, 6-0. Elveruma and Whitworth also had an impressive 6-3 win over Manogue's No. 1 team.
Simone Kuckenmeister and Emily Ortiz had an impressive 6-4 win over Manogue's No. 1 team as well. Ortiz also teamed with Amy Milholland for a 6-0 win.
In singles, Natalie Rogers swept 6-0, 6-4, 6-2 and Kelsey Joyce swept 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.
MANOGUE 34, CARSON BOYS 11
In doubles, Justin Mesini and Nick Rebholz won twice 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 and Josh Caron and Jeff Van Epps won 6-0 while Brandon Waterman won 6-2 in singles for the Carson boys tennis team.
"They were just too strong for our young team," Carson coach Pat Houlihan said.