Tehachapi News

Mountain Tennis looks to defend CIF championship

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With a host of players returning back from a CIF Division III title season last year, the Tehachapi Warrior tennis squad is optimistic about their chances to repeat their playoff run, while the Lady Braves are hopeful to win a fourth straight SSL championship.

The Lady Warriors will look to have strong competition this season in league play, with CIF Division V power Bakersfield Christian as a top SSL contender, and challenges from Wasco, Arvin, Shafter and Taft.

Participating on the varsity squad this season for Tehachapi are seniors Georgia Ruckhaber and Melissa Leiper and juniors Abby Croy, Bailey Hutchinson, Desiree Ortiz, Hannah Trott, Danielle Amacher, Caitlin Burris and Erica Lange. The Lady Warriors will also have two underclassmen in their lineup with sophomore Daelyn Valencia and freshman Darian Grisso.

In the pre-season, Tehachapi will take on some of the valley’s best competition in the Lewis Cup, along with matches against Mira Monte, Antelope Valley, and Lancaster High School.

In the junior varsity ranks, Tehachapi is the three-time defending South Sequoia League champion, with a 29-1 league record over the last three seasons.

The jayvee will have talent at their disposal again this season, with juniors Samantha Thiesse, Monica Tinajero, and Jacqi Edwards and sophomores Paige Bennett, Adriana Brewer, Marissa Dunn, Hannah Fjeld, Heather Hansen, Amy Legarda, Mercedes Morgan and Liz Oglesby.

The junior varsity also has three freshmen on the squad in Brooke Neufeld, Meagan Thiesse, and Lexi Zimmerman.