Senior pair fuel Panthers’ third straight title

PREP GIRLS STATE TENNIS Verde’s advantage in doubles, Coronado moved Niloketa Nokoloff, who was 3-0 in singles in Thursday’s semifinal win over Reno, and Hannah Grossman, who was 2-1 Thursday, into doubles. Each player went 1-2, with Nikoloff pairing with Brooke Gibson and Grossman with Megan Balmer.

“At first, we were kind of happy because we have those two real good doubles teams,” Palo Verde coach Zach Brandt said. “We just kind of stuck with our game plan. When you have a game plan, the kids are used to it.”

Instead of the eight or nine points Brandt was hoping to get from doubles, Palo Verde got six. But Till and Graber picked up the slack, and Brandt cited Till’s 6-0 win over Sophia Potamitis in the first round as a big momentum swing.

Leading 4-2 after the first round, Palo Verde took five of six matches in the second round to lead 9-3.

“At one point, us coaches were all talking and we didn’t want it to flip and go 2-4,” Brandt said. “Those were all close matches, and somehow we squeaked them out and got five.” CLASS 3A

Much like it has done all season, The Meadows sent out a full lineup Friday en route to dominating its tennis match.

Using several substitutions, the Mustangs won their second consecutive state championship with a 16-2 victory over Desert Pines in the Class 3A state final at Reno Tennis Center. The title was their fourth in five years.

Anuja Daulat and Abbigail Klein each went 3-0 in singles to lead The Meadows. Jessica Lelah and Caroline Liu, and Peyton Barcel and Sara Blenkiron each went 2-0 in doubles, and Olivia Waysack was 2-0 in singles for the Mustangs, who used six doubles combinations.