DENVER | Aurora’s two sophomore state qualifiers fell in first round matches at the Class 5A girls state tennis tournament Thursday.
No. 1 Renee Christopher of Eaglecrest and Cherokee Trail No. 2 Alexandria Linville each lost in straight sets in their opening matches at the Gates Tennis Center, putting the city out of the singles championship mix.
Both players were eliminated in the next round as their respective opponents were defeated in the quarterfinals.
The Cherokee Trail No. 3 doubles team of Sydney Reese and Natalia Zaremba — the first tandem in program history to qualify for state — went down to defeat later, falling 6-3, 6-2 to Fossil Ridge’s Sam Penhale and Emma Wiley. Reese and Zaremba still have the possibility of a playback, as Penhale and Wiley got past Arapahoe in the quarterfinals. A Fossil Ridge victory in Friday’s 8 a.m. semifinals would bring the Cougars into the playback round, with third-place possible.
Cherokee Trail continues to look for their first win at the state tennis tournament since No. 1 singles player Jacqueline Palmucci placed third in both 2009 and 2010.
Christopher — Eaglecrest’s first state tournament qualifier since 2004 and coming off a runner-up finish at the 5A Region 1 tournament — went down 6-2, 6-2 to Central of Grand Junction junior Aimee Basinski, the Region 6 champion.
The Raptors standout trailed just 3-2 in the first set, but was broken twice as Basinski closed out the set with the good fortune of a few shots that hit the tape and fell in her favor. Christopher held serve twice in the second set, but got moved around frequently and dropped it 6-2.
In her first trip to state, Linville faced off against Pine Creek’s Sarah Kosbab, who made the 2011 state tournament at No. 1 singles, but dropped to No. 2s as a senior. Kosbab recorded a swift 6-1, 6-1 victory, but was stopped in the quarterfinals by Fairview’s Katie Kousman.
Notes: While Aurora players won’t be involved, the 5A semifinals were moved up to 8 a.m. Friday due to weather concerns. A full weather contingency plan will be put together by the CHSAA in case expected rain storms arrive. Playbacks for third-place are schedule to begin following the completion of the semifinal round.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
CLASS 5A GIRLS TENNIS STATE TOURNAMENT
At Gates Tennis Center, Denver
5A Team Scores (through quarterfinals): Cherry Creek – 21; Fairview – 18; Fossil Ridge – 13; Denver East – 11; Poudre – 10; Pine Creek – 5; Loveland – 4; Heritage – 4; Arapahoe – 3; Chatfield – 3; Ft. Collins – 3; Lakewood – 3; Rocky Mountain – 3; Castle View – 1; Central (G.J.) – 1; Dakota Ridge – 1; Fruita Monument – 1; Grand Junction – 1; Highlands Ranch – 1; Littleton – 1; Mountain Range – 1; Mountain Vista – 1; Ponderosa – 1; Ralston Valley – 1
AURORA INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
No. 1 singles — First round: Aimee Basinski (Central (G.J.)) def. Renee Christopher (Eaglecrest), 6-2, 6-2
No. 2 singles — First round: Sarah Kosbab (Pine Creek) def. Alexandria Linville (Cherokee Trail), 6-1, 6-1
No. 3 doubles — First round: Sam Penhale and Emma Wiley (Fossil Ridge) def. Sydney Reese/Natalia Zaremba (Cherokee Trail), 6-3, 6-2
