Cherry Creek girls tennis triumphs at Cherry Creek Invitational
GREENWOOD VILLAGE — The Cherry Creek girls tennis team hosted the Cherry Creek Invitational this weekend where they defended their home court and won the tournament.
No Bruin finished below third and Sayuri Garud(No. 2 singles) and the team of Grace Shepard and Kaki Cantor(No. 4 doubles) each won the championship in their respective draws.
Cherry Creek finished first as a team with 33 points, Cheyenne Mountain was the runner-up with 25 points and Denver East placed third with 22 points.
“Winning the tournament as a team was huge for us and a really solid start to our season,” Bruin No. 1 singles player Micha Handler said. “The teams we played we will be seeing again at regionals and state so I think it felt really good to win. We know what we have to work on (to go) for that state title.”
Josie Schaffer of Kent Denver won the No. 1 singles bracket. Rosie Clark of Kent Denver too the win in No. 3 singles. Casey Ahrendsen and Ally Arenson of Cheyenne Mountain won No. 1 doubles. Amiga Pandey and Savanah Smith of Fossil Ridge won No. 2 doubles.
“At this point in the season, every (match) is tough, regardless of winning or losing, I feel that there are always things the team can improve on,” Handler said. “In the next couple weeks, training mentally and on the courts is what we’re going to do to get ready for the state tournament.”
The Bruins were just barely beaten out last season by Fairview for the team state title,
“I think all of us on the team are working really hard and wanting a state championship this more than ever,” Handler said. “After winning 18 years in a row, and getting second place to Fairview, everyone this year is pushing a little harder and fighting a little longer in hopes of achieving (a state title).”
Cherry Creek and Kent Denver will see each other again this week as the Bruins travel to Cherry Hills Village to face the 4A Sun Devils in a highly competitive dual.
