By Gerardo Bolong
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

3A Metro - Sound League girls tennis went to the final match before determining a victor at Solstice Park on Wed., April 25.
With matches tied at 2-2, the West Seattle pair of Ryan Harper and Ellen Pietsch fought hard in a long match to take a first set No. 3 doubles win against the Chief Sealth duo of Alma Lopez and Laliah Abdi, 6-3.
Adjusting their tactics, WS improved its performance to earn a 6-1 second set win that clinched the match and improved the Wildcat conference record to 4-2 and overall record to 4-4.
Sealth fell to 0-6 and 0-7, respectively.

“After a set of deuces, we had to play our game and keep the ball in,” Harper said.
Strategy also included increasing the pace on each stroke.
“We hit the ball hard and deep,” added Pietsch.

Chief Sealth opened the action with a 1-0 match lead due to a default walk over win at No. 2 singles.
Laura Reed squared the matches for West Seattle by defeating Hanna Mai, 6-2, 6-2, in No. 1 singles.
The Seahawks regained the lead in matches on the strength of a strong No. 1 doubles showing.
Shelby Tuta and Alina Doan focused strongly to stop the Wildcats’ Mercedes Chapman and Carly Guzylak, 6-1, 6-2.

“It was our mentality,” explained Doan. “It’s improved as the season has gone on. They hit the ball into the net a lot.”
Tuta was of like mind.

“It’s all about mindset,” she added. “Communication. It works real well.”
West Seattle tied the matches at 2-2 when Brielle Martin and Maya Moreno shot past Janice Ton and Jade Castillo, 6-1, 6-3, at No. 2 doubles.

“It’s like the boys,” concluded Wildcat head coach Cathy Tom. “Everyone is getting really seasoned in experience. They’ll be truly ready to start next season.”
Meanwhile, the Metro playoffs are just around the corner..