Xavier Prep tennis players did not reach the pinnacle they
had hoped, but they still could depart Glendale’s Paseo Racquet Center on
Saturday (April 29) with their heads held high after strong overall
performances in the Division I individual singles and doubles state tournament.
The No. 3-seeded doubles team of senior Jordan Craft and
freshman Emily Even played in the championship match but fell to top-seeded
Grace Koester and Erin Hannen of Scottsdale Chaparral, 6-0 and 6-2.
Koester and Hannen also defeated the unseeded Xavier doubles
team of junior Maddy Corley and freshman Jessica Miramelli, 6-0 and 6-0 in
Friday’s (April 28) quarterfinals.
And freshman singles player Erica Stutz, the No. 4 seed,
fell in Saturday’s semifinal to Phoenix Horizon’s Liza Isayev, 6-4, 6-0. Isayev
went on to win the state title later in the day, and Stutz defeated Anthem
Boulder Creek’s Torye Calleja, the seventh seed, 7-5, 6-4, for the consolation
championship.
Xavier coach Laurie Martin was encouraged by what she saw
during the tournament, especially with three freshmen.
“What they accomplished and the experience they gained is
absolutely huge,’’ Martin said. “It certainly gives us hope for the future.’’
“For Emily to reach the state doubles final was really big.
All of the girls did a great job.’’
Stutz and Isayev had each other on the run for most of their
match, placing shots to all areas of the court and showing good power.
“Erica competed very well with some of the best shots she
has had,’’ Martin said.
“We’re looking forward to her continuing to improve. She is
very mature for a freshman and stays focused most of the time. She is very
driven.’’
The coach also was pleased to see Craft leave no stone
unturned in her final Xavier showing. Craft will play at Chapman University in
California beginning next year.
“Jordan is a great kid,’’ Martin said. “She has been a team
leader for us and has done everything a captain should do.’’
Now the Gators turn their attention to the team portion of
the D-I tournament. The Gators, the defending state runner-up, are seeded No. 5
this season.
They defeated Goodyear Millennium 5-0 in the first round
last week and will meet No. 4 seed Phoenix Desert Vista on the road on Tuesday
(May 2) at 3 p.m. It will be Xavier’s second trip to Desert Vista this season.
Desert Vista won that earlier match 6-3.
The Xavier-Desert Vista winner will advance to the
semifinals on Friday (May 5) at the Scottsdale Ranch Park in north Scottsdale.