P.A. ends Sequim’s winning streak

Girls tennis

What a run it was.

Sequim’s three year-plus league unbeaten streak that began in May 2004 and lasted three matches into the 2008 season is finally over – but not without a fight.

Port Angeles took four of seven matches, including all three singles match-ups, to edge Sequim in an Olympic League showdown April 9.

Sequim won three of four doubles matches but it wasn’t enough to keep the winning streak alive. It ends after 36 consecutive league victories and 38 overall wins.

"They had the stronger singles (group) and we kind of geared our squad for doubles," Sequim coach Doug Hastings said. "I think we can do a little better against Port Angeles the next time we play them."

Sequim’s No. 1 doubles squad, Blaire Maloney and Angela Richards stopped P.A.’s Cassidy Fairchild and Megan Hiyson 6-3, 6-3, while Caihley Baker and Diana Earl downed Coco Piper and Grace Vanrossen 6-3, 6-0 in No. 2 doubles action.

In doubles No. 3 play, Sequim Mary Cherrett and Kali Wake won in straight sets against Roughrider foes Kate Capell and Aishia Pueno 6-4 and 6-3.

But Roughrider singles players swept their matches, as Tinka Hannan out-dueled Sequim’s Kyla Hall 6-4 and 6-0, Kinsey Kelly stopped Sequim’s Amanda Tjemsland 6-1, 6-0 and Danika Goodwin beat the Wolves’ Stephanie Nguyen, 6-3 and 6-1.

"(Nguyen) played well. She showed a lot of consistency," Hastings said.

The Roughriders also picked up a win in No. 4 doubles play, as Mallony Hach and Sam Monwell topped Sequim’s Kari Hankins and Jaysa Hill, 6-2 and 6-2.

"They had a little bit more (of a) seasoned team in the four spot," Hastings said.

An April 7 home date with Peninsula was postponed thanks to inclement weather but that’s hardly something new for the Wolves: They’ve seen four postponements in the first six scheduled matches this season.

Sequim was scheduled to play Bremerton April 14 and Peninsula April 15, both at home; results were unavailable at press time. Hastings expects those two teams to be Sequim’s top competition this season.

The Wolves are slated to play at Klahowya April 16 and at Olympic April 22 … weather permitting.