LAFAYETTE — Only a handful of matches remain for girls tennis players, particularly No. 1 singles players like Silver Creek junior Elsa Erickson, to fine-tune things before making a final push toward the state tournaments in their respective classifications.
With that in mind, Erickson knew Thursday’s dual match against Centaurus, in which she would face a tough player in Meghan Donohoe, was as important as any match she’d played to date in her first season manning the top singles spot for Silver Creek.
Erickson got the test she was expecting, and hoping for, and passed.
Helping the Silver Creek girls to a 6-1 team dual win, Erickson defeated Donohoe 6-1, 6-0.
“Every single game went to deuce,” Erickson said. “I don’t know how the score was 6-1, 6-0 but I’m glad it was. She’s a very good player and they’re one of the tougher teams so winning this one means a lot. I think I’m 9-1 now so that’s an accomplishment.”
Erickson has been no stranger to accomplishments in the first two years of her prep tennis career. As the final major goal of qualifying for the state tournament looms with just two weeks left in the season, however, new accomplishments won’t come easy down the home stretch.
In 2014, Erickson qualified for the 4A state meet playing No. 2 singles. At No. 1 singles for her junior season, Erickson will have to finish top two at the next Wednesday and Thursday’s 4A Region 5 tournament amidst a 13-team field that includes other state tournament regulars in schools such as Niwot, Dawson School, Holy Family and Peak to Peak.
“I would love to go to state,” Erickson said. “If I play my best, I have a shot.”
With Thursday’s team victory, Silver Creek improved to 2-4 in 4A Northern League duals. The loss dropped Centaurus to 1-5.
At No. 3 singles, Silver Creek’s Maria Grant defeated Veva Fransico 6-0, 6-1.
In the top doubles spot, Silver Creek’s Sonja Hartmann and Kaleia San Miguel won 6-4, 6-1 over Ava Atkinson and Sami Scarano. In the No. 2 spot, Silver Creek’s Kady Blecha and Jessica Tremolini downed Koly Lavoy and Erin Scarano, 6-4, 6-2, and Silver Creek’s Katelyn Feller and Emily Powell defeated Dolfin Olsen and Sophia Delaney 6-4, 7-5 at No. 3 doubles.
At No. 4 doubles, Silver Creek’s Jess Evely and Jenna Nielson won 7-5, 6-4 over Claire Victor and Kaelen Woodruff.
“We were a little sluggish today,” Silver Creek head coach Kelly Burns said. “As soon as we woke up a little bit, we played better. It’s been a long week and we lost a tough one to Thompson Valley (5-2 on Tuesday) but this will move us to 6-4 on the season. We have a lot of young players and regionals is next Wednesday so we’re trying to finish the last week of the season strong.”
Centaurus junior Amy Offerle defeated Brigid Winn, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 singles, to keep the Raptors from posting a sweep.
“We’ve had a dual every day this week and it’s been crazy,” Centaurus head coach Craig Hoeltgen said. “We have a really young team and we’re just building experience and getting better. Our only message, our only goal, is to play better than the day before.”
Centaurus will play Monarch on Friday. Silver Creek will play Fort Lupton on Tuesday.
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Silver Creek 6, Centaurus 1
At Centaurus HS
Singles — 1. Elsa Erickson, Silver Creek, def. Meghan Donahoe, 6-1, 6-0; 2. Amy Offerle, Centaurus, def. Brigid Winn, 6-1, 6-1; 6-1, 6-1; 3. Maria Grant, Silver Creek, def. Veva Fransico, 6-0, 6-1.
Doubles — 1. Sonja Hartmann/Kaleia San Miguel, Silver Creek, def. Ava Atkinson/Sami Scarano, 6-5, 6-1; 2. Kady Blecha/Jessica Tremolini, Silver Creek, def. Kole Lavoy/Erin Scarano, 6-4, 6-2; 3. Katelyn Feller/Emily Powell, Silver Creek, def. Dolfin Olsen/Sophia Delaney, 6-4, 7-5; 4. Jess Evely/Jenna Nielson, Silver Creek, def. Claire Victor/Kaelen Woodruff, 7-5, 6-4.
