Montezuma-Cortez High School's girls tennis team opened the season with a strong 6-1 victory over the Miyamura Patriots last Saturday at Gallup, N.M.
Senior Emily Walck won the No. 1 singles match 8-3 and then teamed up with senior Mary Wright to win the No. 1 doubles match, 6-1, 6-2. Wright also won the No. 2 singles match, 8-4.
Lady Panthers coach Dan Wood was impressed with their performance in both the singles and doubles matches.
"They worked together to cover the court and predict their opponents' shots," he said.
The best match of the day was at No. 2 doubles. Kearra Boggs and Tori Caliham fell several games behind early in the match, and then figured out how to beat the Patriots duo by decreasing unforced errors and making a higher percentage of serves. Boggs and Caliham won four games in a row against a tough team and tied the match at 8-8. They then won an exciting tiebreaker 7-5 to clinch the win.
"It was a great example of why athletes enjoy come-from-behind victories the most," Wood said.
At No. 3 doubles, Sam Woyewodsic and Aspen Gibbs had little trouble winning and posted an 8-1 victory.
Skye Cole and Raquel Lucero teamed up well to win 8-3 at No. 4 doubles.
The Lady Panthers will host Paonia and Hotchkiss on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Jim Harkendorff Tennis Courts.