Bearcats secure second straight outright EvCo dual title

Fueled by Emma Hamilton’s three-set triumph at No. 1 singles and sweeps in the other four wins, the W.F. West High School girls tennis team wrapped up their second consecutive Evergreen Conference dual championship with a 5-1 Swamp Cup win over Centralia on Monday.

The Bearcats can finish off with an undefeated record in league, also for the second consecutive season, if they upend Tumwater on senior night on Wednesday. Hamilton’s win was the only singles match to go the distance.

A year after losing to Centralia’s Maya Lackie on the road, the right-hander made up for lost time with a statement 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 triumph over Lackie.

“For her to have the mental toughness, to come back in the third set and play lights out, she was on it,” W.F. West head coach Megan Wellander said. “Big win for her.”

Katelyn Wood and Lilly Hueffed made their return to the No. 1 spot in doubles and coasted to a 6-3, 6-3 victory. Manta Ceesay and Ellie Mittge dominated at No. 2 doubles with a 6-0, 6-0 win. Emery Dalrymple (No. 2 singles) and Alayna Leal (No. 3) each won in straight sets.

The Tigers lone victory came at No. 3 doubles, seeing Eliyah Rooklidge and Neela Haywood triumph in a three-set thriller 7-6 (7-4), 1-6, 7-6 (14-12).