LONGVIEW — Centralia’s Rachel Wilkerson and Carissa Kaut took first place at the Helen Donovan Tennis Invitational here on Saturday weekend.
Wilkerson and Kaut defeated a Washougal duo in the championship match.
The pair defeated a team from Kelso in the first round, 6-3, 6-4, and followed it up with a win over an R.A. Long duo, 6-1, 6-0.
The Tigers finished fourth in the team standings.
“I am really pleased with the way the girls fought hard,” Centralia coach Deb Keahey said. “This tournament provides a great learning experience for the girls. The original purpose of the tournament was to prepare girls for the tennis season, and it certainly did that for our girls. I love this tournament — it’s a great tennis and team building experience.”
Centralia’s Brynna Rooklidge and Danika Jensen placed fourth in doubles action. The duo won their opening match over a R.A. Long duo, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. A Washougal pair defeated Centralia in the second round, but Rooklidge and Jensen bounced back with a win over a Three Rivers Christian pair, and then fell in the consolation finals, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, for a fourth-place finish.
Shannon Johnson and Noelle Pertzborn were unable to place, winning their first round match over a Ridgefield pair but dropping the next two matches.
In singles, Ruth Hopkins, Gracie Wiley and Angelica Vercoe were unable to place for the Tigers.
“For Ruth, Gracie, and Angelica this tournament experience was incredible. I saw
improvement with each game, set, and match they played. Because this tournament
took place in Longview, they had an opportunity to familiarize themselves with
being in a tournament,” Keahey said. “The only other tournaments our girls have an opportunity
to experience is sub-districts, districts, and state. This is a great tournament to help
them understand the rigors of competing in a tournament.”
Centralia is back on the court on Tuesday, hosting Three Rivers Christian in a nonleague match.
Monday’s Results
Eatonville Edges Tenino
EATONVILLE — Eatonville slipped past Tenino here Monday afternoon, 3-2, in nonleague girls tennis action.
The Cruisers cruised in singles action, sweeping both matches, while Tenino got its two wins on the doubles side.
Ximena Ontiveros and Ally Vestal won, 6-4, 6-2, in the No. 1 doubles match, while Courtney Dodge and Theresa Sath won, 7-5, 5-7, 10-8 in the No. 3 doubles match for the Beavers.
Tenino (1-1) plays at Aberdeen on Friday.
