New partner, another doubles title for Lodi’s Barajas
Accomplishment: Twice is nice for Nikki Barajas.
But this time, the Lodi High girls tennis player had a different partner to win the Tri-City Athletic League doubles championship at In-Shape Marina in Stockton on Oct. 19. Barajas paired with teammate Johnna Schroeder, as they played St. Mary’s Ali Gabbard and Izzy Garcia for the title. Barajas and Schroeder went three sets to capture the crown; prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. The duo went 3-0 at the tournament.
“We really had to communicate in that match in order to beat them,” Barajas said. “They were our toughest match. We worked together really well.”
The win sends Barajas and Schroeder to the Sac-Joaquin Section’s individual/doubles tournament. That will be held at Johnson Ranch Racquet Club in Roseville on Nov. 1-2.
Barajas said she and Schroeder established their point of attack entering the doubles tournament.
“We both felt that we needed to be more aggressive in our matches,” Barajas said. “Our main thing was being aggressive.”
Last year, Barajas won the doubles title with Emma Canepa, who was the Flames’ No. 1 singles player. Canepa graduated from Lodi High in June.
“They are both really good players,” Barajas said of Canepa and Schroeder.
Barajas and Schroder, and the rest of the Lodi squad still have one more team match to play. Taking third place in league, the Flames have
earned one of the league’s three playoff berths.
According to Will DeBoard, who is
the section’s assistant commissioner, the team playoff brackets will be released on the section’s website on Friday.
Throughout the season, Barajas has been the Flames’ No. 1 singles player. She finished the season with a 15-2
record.
Barajas enjoyed playing in the No. 1 spot for the Flames this season. She has played in the No. 2 spot the last two years behind Canepa.
“I actually like playing No. 1 because there’s a lot more competition,” Barajas said. “I had to practice more to win.”
Barajas won’t get a chance to defend her TCAL doubles crown next season. That is because she is a senior who will
graduate next spring.
Just like starting a new set, Barajas is preparing to start the next chapter after graduation. She is looking at University of Nevada, Reno and Point Loma University in San Diego. Along with majoring in business management, Barajas is hoping to continue her tennis career.