BY TREVOR HORN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz
If the rain subsides this week, Natomas High School girl’s tennis coach Rick Ratliff is confident is his team’s ability to medal.
Starting Tuesday, Oct. 23 the Nighthawks will compete in the singles tournament at Yuba City High School. The doubles tournament will be held Thursday, Oct. 25.
The Natomas High School girl’s tennis team is ranked second in the Tri-County Conference for the regular season.
Noting that his team is stronger in doubles competition, Ratliff said, “We should medal Thursday a lot.”
The Nighthawks’ (11-4 overall, 6-4 TCC) top three doubles pairings went a combined 23-7 this season.
The team was led by No. 1 singles duo of seniors Nehaa Khadka and Alexandria Tinoco (8-2), No. 2 combo of seniors Guadalupe Romo-Macias and Maria Cuevas (6-4) and No. 3 doubles of junior Brianna Curiel and sophomore Isis Cuevas (9-1). These pairs have been the backbone for a team which lacked experience at the beginning of the season, according to Ratliff.
“My whole team has only learned to play,” Ratliff said. “…they started playing once they got to high school.”
Among the group are the Cuevas sisters who have been competitive and tough in double competition this season, but just not together on the court.
“Generally, in the past, it hasn’t worked out for sisters to play together,” Ratliff said. “And the No. 3 doubles are brand new and have never played before.”
On Tuesday, No. 1 singles Ashleen Rai and fellow senior Carmen Fernandez will lead the Nighthawks in singles competition, weather permitting.
Inderkum finished fourth in the conference this season and is also scheduled to compete this week.
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