RAWLINS – Both the Torrington Trailblazer tennis teams picked up conference wins on the road Tuesday against Rawlins in resumed action from matches that were rained out earlier this season.
“It was a great day for THS tennis in Rawlins,” coach Lyle Wiley said. “The team competed hard as a whole, and the results were encouraging.”
The Torrington girls persevered in the lower doubles matches, picking up close wins in No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Aubree Powell and Sera Glass linked up for a win in No. 2 doubles, beating Bailee Thompson and Chantel Flores in two sets, 6-4 and 6-4. Jodee Powell and Sarah Hawkins recorded a win in No. 3 doubles, beating Samantha Waring and Rachel Sheller in a close two sets, 7-5 and 6-4.
“Our No. 2 doubles girls continue to impress and powered through with another big conference win,” Wiley said. “I was most impressed with the competitive drive of our No. 3 doubles girls team, who came out and won a big match after getting down in the match early. Jodee and Sarah played hard and continue to grow into competitive players as freshman.”
Richelle Fitzsimmons picked up the third win to seal the team victory for the Lady Blazers. In No. 2 doubles, she bested Stephanie Hernandez in two sets (6-4, 6-1).
In No. 1 singles, Emi Glass put up a fight, but came out on the losing end of a two-set match, 7-5 and 6-4, to Kryslin Poppie. Mia Saucedo and Shelby Luttrell teamed up for No. 1 doubles action, falling in two sets decided by two games apiece to Mackenzie Thompson and Selena Landa.
Opposite the girls, the Torrington boys team dominated the top of the ladder. Ethan Creagar bested Ryan Pfeffer in No. 1 singles action, while Clay Peterson handled Jacob Pacheco in their No. 2 singles match. Peterson and Creagar combined to give up three total games.
“Ethan and Clay were both impressive at singles,” Wiley said. “They adjusted well to the omi-surface courts. They both had serves working and were hitting deep, beautiful ground strokes.”
Kelly Peterson was paired with Brian Fenn in No. 1 doubles, giving up only one game in a two-set win over Cody Scott and Brock Hansen.
“Brian and Kelly have some strong team chemistry, play well at the net with soft hands and blast groundstrokes with accuracy,” Wiley said.
Mason Brummell and Jaysen Stitt (No. 3 singles) went the distance against Toran Flores and Chad Hansen. The Torrington duo won the first set, 6-1, before losing the second two sets, 7-5 and 6-3. In the No. 2 doubles match, Mason Weis and Levi Wickham lost the first set, 6-2, before forcing a tiebreaker in the second set. Rawlins’ Gabe Murry and Sebastian Maes won the tiebreaker (7-3), set (7-6) and match (2-0).
There were also several JV matches that took place in Rawlins. Kalli Smith and Sydney West won 8-4 and West also won a singles JV match, 8-2. Martina Padovani won her singles match 8-4. In boys JV action, Koby Ringle and Kaden Wunibald, along with Benjamin Braddy and Mason Brummell lost their doubles matches, both by a score of 8-6.
“While some of our team may have missed opportunities to leave Rawlins with a personal win, a team win for the boys and girls was a big deal,” Wiley said. “We continue to battle as a group and try to improve every match.”
Torrington returns to competitive action this weekend. The boys are set to compete in the Scottsbluff, Neb. Invitational on Saturday, while the girls stay at home at host Riverton at 11 a.m.
