Entering this season, the Montezuma-Cortez High School girls tennis team knew that it would experience growing pains. Those pains continued last weekend.
Opening a two-match road swing in Montrose on April 24, M-CHS lost all seven of its matches in straight sets and won just 11 games.
Among the most successful Lady Panthers were No. 3 singles player Laurel Chappell, who lost to Macaiah Nichols, 6-2, 6-2, and No. 1 singles player Raquel Lucero, who fell to Alyssa Arellano, 6-1, 6-2.
M-CHS played its second match of the weekend on the road on April 25 and lost to Grand Junction Central, 5-2.
Lucero defeated Abby Bridgett 7-6, 6-0 in the No. 1 singles match to improve her record to 5-4 on the season.
“Raquel had quick feet and was getting from corner to corner,” Bauer said. “Her serves were good, and she was using good strategy too.”
Chappell also won for the Lady Panthers, defeating Erin McCloskey, 6-2, 6-0.
“Laurel is gaining consistency,” said Bauer. “I think that helps her with confidence.”
With their regular season now complete, the Lady Panthers will travel to Grand Junction for the Class 4A Region 8 Tournament, which will take place, April 30-May 1.
“I wish the season was longer because everyone is progressing,” said Bauer. “I’d like to see us play consistent and do our best. I hope we can keep a positive attitude and end their season on a high note.”