Oak Ridge girls win 1st D-1 title

SHINGLE SPRINGS — Both Oak Ridge and Ponderosa closed out the regular season with Thursday’s intra-county match at the Millennium SportsClub. The Lady Trojans, who finished tied with St. Francis atop the Delta River League standings, defeated the Bruins 7-2.

Troy’s victory was their first Division I championship and meant the team hosts the Troubadours today at Broadstone in a one match tiebreaker to determine seeding for the upcoming section playoffs. Then it’s off to the league single/doubles championships this week at the Natomas Racquet Club.

Thursday Ponderosa honored seniors Tiffany Prather, Susan Parkyn and Kaitlyn Friesen, presenting the trio flowers and Whistle Stop yogurt voucher cards. Due to school commitments, seniors Bailey Brandon and Angelina Chekinareva were unable to attend.

Prather and Parkyn were co-captains and along with Friesen a big help to coach Don Eddy with respect to pre-practice stretching exercises, organizing fundraisers and being role models.

“We will miss them but are happy they are moving on to college where they will be outstanding students and contribute to society during their lifetimes. I have really enjoyed having these girls on our team,” Eddy said.

While Oak Ridge readies itself for the postseason, Eddy is optimistic about the Bruins’ future. No. 1 singles player Ashley Tank is a freshman who went 3-6 considering she went up against the best seniors in the league; Laura Parkyn is also an up and coming freshman with talent; as is Sam Olson who covers the court and is smart.

Marissa Peterson, who didn’t play Thursday, has the height, reach, speed, hand/eye coordination, and court sense and is one of the few Bruin girls that can volley and is not afraid to go to the net. She went 5-1, at the No. 4 singles slot.

Oak Ridge 7, Ponderosa 2
Singles (OR first): Rachael Librach def. by Ashley Tank 3-6, 6-2, 3-10; Hannah Crookham def. by Susan Parkyn 6-7, 6-3, 7-10′ Miranda Miller def. Tiffany Prather 6-2, 6-0; Gabby Zeagler def. Kaitlyn Friesen 6-2, 6-1; Megan Miller def. Daphne Green 7-6, 7-6; Emily Abraham def. Sam Olson 7-5, 6-3.
Doubles (OR first): Lauren Ropolo-Heather Dunham def. Katie Wright-Laura Parkyn 6-2, 6-0; Sydney Newman-Ashlee Gonzales def. Jacklyn Fields-Kaleigh Field 6-1, 6-0; Megan Engle-Camille Martin def. Megan Taylor-Katie Jenson 6-3, 6-3