AUBURN - Tenacity turned the tide completely in the direction of a Des Moines athlete on Saturday, May 19, at Auburn-Riverside High School.

Senior tennis player Alexis Gregerson of Mount Rainier nailed down a Class 4A girls singles berth out of the West Central/Southwest Bi- District tennis tournament in concluding action at Auburn-Riverside High School on Saturday, May 19.

After maneuvering through perilous ground the previous Saturday, Gregerson entered the next weekend with two wins and one loss, but within one victory of a state tournament spot.

Wasting little time, Gregerson began her morning with a state qualifying 6-0, 6-2, defeat of Gemma Robinson from Olympia. The Ram netter used deep strokes to the baseline and passing shots to control most of the sometimes long lasting points.

The second set produced opposition that required more tenacity, but the Mount Rainier ace gutted it out to victory.

In the battle for the fifth and sixth seeds, Lauren Thornquist of Auburn outlasted Gregerson, 6-2, 6-1. Gregerson and Thornquist will join the district champions and other top eight singles qualifiers at Richland High School and the Columbia Basin Racquet Club on May 25-26.

Skyview's Sammi Hampton of the Greater St. Helen's League prevailed, 6-0, 6-4, against Jelena Vidovic of Union in the championship match featuring an all-Clark County representation.

Kyana Esber and Katelyn Overland of Kentridge won a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, three-set comeback win against Tess Manthou and Maddie Belmondo of Kentwood for the girls doubles title.

Skyview, Kentridge and Battle Ground claimed tri-championship girls team totals of 14 each. Union was second at 11 points.