Thomas Jefferson worked hard to capture a 3-2 Class 4A South Puget Sound League girls tennis team home victory against crosstown rival Decatur last Wednesday.

Sara Lin took No. 1 singles for the Gators in a 6-1, 6-1, win against Averi Kitsch. Jefferson's Raiders countered with their No. 2 doubles tandem of Caroline Min and Kelli Nakamura stroking past Megan Lintelmann and Bianca Tercero, 6-0, 6-2.

The advantage turned in towards the Gators in No. 1 doubles where top player Meghan Cassens utilized her formidable freshman skills in partnership with Jen Kanesta to power through the Raider duo of seniors Allie Guerrero and Kendall Swynenburg, 6-1, 6-2.

Despite losing on this cool day in April, the Jefferson seniors provided warm thoughts about their tennis experience.

"We like to go to the net and hit volleys," stated Swynenburg. "We need to stay off the net a little more and be patient."

Guerrero looked at the fun and future aspect of playing tennis.

"We laugh a lot and like to have fun," she added. "Maybe too much fun, but it's not just about winning and losing. This is an activity we participate in the rest of our lives. It's been a wonderful experience here at Jefferson."

In No. 3 doubles, Jefferson's Emily Tu and Vanessa Sariego were in full control against Jenny Lee and Angela Turigan, eventually winning, 6-1, 6-1, as Mackenzie Qualls dueled against Decatur's Amanda Son in the deciding match, No. 2 singles.

Qualls pounded out a 6-2 win in the first set before Son fought back to earn the second set, 6-1. With the pressure of winning in the balance sophomore Qualls battled like a warrior to win the third set, 6-1, to capture her match and send the Raiders to victory.

"I just outplayed her in the first set, but she kept going to the corner more accurately in the second set," explained Qualls. "The pressure of winning kept me focused. I can play baseline or net. I forced a few breaks in the third set."

"Our team depends on two stand out players," said Gator coach John Cassens. "Our lack of depth shows in our doubles teams."

Decatur finished the season at 7-7 after dropping a verdict to Kentwood on Thursday.

For Jefferson, which suffered huge losses to graduation and players not turning out, it was a satisfying way to end its 9-5 season.

"We lost a lot of players," related Jefferson coach Andrew Buchan. "I was thinking that we could win eight. The girls worked hard, and to do as well as we did was fabulous."

Both teams turned their attention to South Puget Sound League sub-district play which began on Tuesday, May 6, at Kent-Meridian High School and will conclude this Friday and Saturday at the Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway.