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Tennis Team Hits Stride For League Competition
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Escalon’s All-TVL selections for tennis this season included, from left, EJ Lewis, Sawyer Mello, Makayla Wentzell, Isabella Nalbandian, Ryle Lattig and Laura Thompson. Photo Courtesy Of Julianne Eavenson

After overwhelming Ripon by an 8-1 final in a regular season meeting, the Escalon Cougars tennis team then moved on to the Trans-Valley League Tournament. The tourney action took place in nearby Riverbank on Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30.

Tuesday action, April 26, saw the Cougars host Ripon and the only loss of the day came in boys number one singles. Josh Schut went down to defeat but all other singles and doubles teams for Escalon were victorious.

At boys number two singles, EJ Lewis was a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 winner while girls singles number one Isabella Nalbandian and number two Rylie Lattig both won in straight sets. Nalbandian took her match 6-2, 6-1 and Lattig battled to take a 7-5, 6-3 victory.

Boys number one doubles paired Sawyer Mello and Landon Underwood, taking a 7-5, 6-4 win off the court. Boys number two doubles got a forfeit win, Daniel Adams and Preston Berhorst suiting up for the Cougars.

In girls doubles, number one duo Makayla Wentzell and Sophia Martin were 6-1, 6-3 winners and number two doubles Lily McCracken and Laura Thompson won by a 6-1, 7-5 decision.

Mixed doubles Collin Haskin and Kaili Castellanos get a forfeit win as well to secure the final 8-1 margin of victory.

Thompson, who played in the number two girls doubles against Ripon, was honored at the TVL Tournament for her outstanding season, going 10-0 on the campaign.

“She was the only girl in our league to go 10-0, undefeated in league,” said EHS coach Julianne Eavenson of the All-TVL honoree. “Sawyer Mello, EJ Lewis, Makayla Wentzell, Isabella Nalbandian and Ryle Lattig also got All-League for the season.”

The league tournament action in Riverbank also saw Thompson and McCracken place first in the girls doubles tournament on Friday.

“Makayla Wentzell and Lily McCracken placed first in the girls doubles tournament on Saturday, earning the number one seed for the Sections tournament on May 16,” Eavenson said.