Knights tennis bests Naches Valley

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights battled against Naches Valley on the court Monday afternoon with the Knights boys earning a 5-0 victory while the girls battled to go 3-2 on the court. With another early season meet concluded, the Knights prepare for a busy regular season ahead. 

“The season has been going really good,” said Cael Orth from the Knights. “Last year was my first year, so I’m excited to have a full season this year.” 

Orth, the number one boys singles for the Knights, started off the afternoon on the court showing dominance and winning his sets 6-0, 6-0. 

“I was serving really good, still need to keep working, but I think it went pretty well,” said Orth. 

Royals number two singles Major Andra earned a forfeit victory, and the three doubles teams made a strong showing starting with K.J. Greenfield and Dennis Hernandez, who earned a 6-0, 6-2 victory to start the afternoon. They were followed by William Garcia and Antonio Narciso who went 6-2, 6-0 and Stone Andra and Dayne Allred who went 6-0, 6-0 for a full team victory. 

“The boys came out fired up and just played really well,” said Knights Head Coach Rodrigo Fajardo. “Just looking forward to our boys team to see what they can do this season.” 

On the girls' side, things got closer as the number two doubles team of Tania Verzuzco and Heaven Parker started on the court and took down Naches Valley’s duo of Emery Rome and Emma Sloan 6-1, 6-0. 

“It started off a little rough, but after a couple of strokes and a little bit of shots it was good, said Verzuzco.  

Parker said once the duo got into the flow, things started to flow together. 

“We knew what we had to do and we just worked with each other well,” said Parker 

In the number one doubles match, Royals’ duo Hayden Sutor and Madyn Smith fell 2-6, 1-6.  

The same split happened between the number one and number two singles matches as the number one singles player Lauren Allred fell 2-6, 4-6, but the number two singles player, Derany Pineda, started the afternoon with a hot battle on the court and went 6-1, 2-6, 7-5 against her opponent for a victory. 

“That was great for our team and great for (Derany) to grow as a player,” said Fajardo. “Just fantastic with her effort.” 

The girls matches were decided by the number three doubles match between Monica Gilbert and Taylor Webb from the Knights and Haley Suarez and Eva Elizondo from Naches Valley. Royal remained strong throughout the matchup to go 6-1, 6-1 and earn the team victory. 

“On our ladies’ end, it was met with some resistance,” said Fajardo. “Naches brought the fire and we kind of knew coming in that it was going to be a tough match.” 

The coach said he is very pleased with the efforts of his players during Monday’s meet to take two team victories. With that, there are still some aspects of the game he wants to iron out with the players as they prepare for their next two meets this week. 

Staying consistent is something that will assist the players as they move forward in the season and was something that was a bit of a struggle against Naches Valley, he said.  

“There were many unforced errors. We would have a good rally and then we would be the ones making the error,” said the coach. “Just working on that consistency and being able to put the point away and be aggressive at the net.” 

As the season progresses, Orth said he is looking forward to playing in more tough matches, especially against the tough team in Cashmere. As he battles trough this season, he has his sights set on having postseason play. 

Verzuzco said she is looking forward to being challenged throughout this season by strong opponents throughout the South Central Athletic Conference. 

“Last year with districts, it was a little rough, but I’m really excited for the competition and just getting better,” she said. 

Parker added to that and said that she hopes the two of them can work together and make a deeper postseason run as they improve this season. 

The goals for this season are for the players to give their all in every match and work their way towards a league championship either as a team or individually. Fajardo said with what he has already seen from the players this season, this goal is within reach. 

“I feel like I have a special group of boys and girls,” said the coach. “It’s very early in the season and I can’t wait to see what they look like when they peak at the end for districts.” 

The Knights prepare to go on the road Wednesday to face Granger at 3 p.m. then return home Thursday to face Wahluke at 3 p.m. 

    Tania Verzuzco from Royal prepares to send the ball back over the net to the opposing Naches Valley doubles team.
  

    Knights doubles player Heaven Parker gets ready to serve the ball during the Monday afternoon matchup against Naches Valley.
  

    Derany Pineda from the Knights swings her racket to send the ball back to her opponent in a close battle against Naches Valley.
  

    Royal’s Dennis Hernandez prepares to serve the ball during the first doubles match against Naches Valley Monday afternoon.
  

    K.J. Greenfield from Royal moves toward the ball to send it back over the net to his opponents from Naches Valley.