The state playoffs for individual and doubles are scheduled to start next Friday, Apr. 24 while the team portion is set for the following Wednesday, Apr. 29.

16 teams will qualify from each of the three divisions with the top two teams from each section earning an automatic berth.

At 7-5, the Tucson Desert Christian girl's team is battling for one of the few remaining at-large bids from Division III. Tucson Gregory School (5-0) and Tucson Tanque Verde (4-1) are in control of Section VI so the at-large bid is the only avenue left for Desert Christian.

Goodyear Estrella Foothills is currently the top-rated team in Division III with The Gregory School ranked second. There are five Southern Arizona teams fighting for one of the last remaining spots. Besides Desert Christian, Sahuarita Walden Grove, Tucson Amphitheater, Patagonia and Benson are in the hunt.

It could be said that the state playoffs have already begun for those teams and Desert Christian took an important step with their 8-1 victory at Oro Valley Pusch Ridge on Monday.

Leading the way was senior standout Courtenay Gleason. Gleason defeated Reagan Blease 6-0, 6-1 in the first match. Gleason made it to the singles quarterfinal round last year and looks to finish high again this spring.

"We have a younger team this year," Gleason said, "My leadership role is to make sure we are all together. Not so much just about tennis, we are more of a family this year."

Desert Christian lost D-III doubles champions Jenna Cray and Harika Echuri to graduation and the duo helped the Eagles take third place in the team competition.

Karen Kime is the new coach at Pusch Ridge and her roster is full of freshmen and sophomores. Too far back to make it to the sate playoffs this spring, the Lions should be prepared to make a run next year with freshman Kate Maxfield in the mix.

 

Desert Christian 8, Pusch Ridge 1

Courtenay Gleason (DC) over Reagan Blease, 6-0, 6-1

Kate Maxfield (PR) over Juliet Saxton, 6-0, 6-0

Allison McNally (DC) over Jayne Leinhard, 6-0, 7-5

Emily Hazelman (DC) over Shelby Cropp, 6-2, 6-1

Sarah Butler (DC) over MacKenzey Smith, 6-2, 7-5

Zoe Perkins (DC) over Presley Cain, 6-2, 6-1

Gleason/McNally (DC) over Blease/Maxfield, 8-2

Hazelman/Butler (DC) over Leinhard/Cropp, 8-3

Sandy Slovikosky/Perkins (DC) over MacKenzey/Presley, 8-1