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| Rebuilding? Ha! Central wins district title |
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| The girls tennis team gets a big boost from LeighAnne MacCarthy and Christine Bansen. |
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 | | Photo by Sam Scott | | LeighAnne MacCarthy of Central eyes a forehand during a May 8 match in the Special District 2 Tennis Tournament. |
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By Sam Scott
INDEPENDENCE -- Central's girls tennis team won the Special District 2 title last season but then said goodbye to nine graduating seniors.
So when the Lady Panthers started their 2008 campaign, there was talk of the team being in a "rebuilding" stage.
Someone, though, apparently forgot to tell the Lady Panthers about this "rebuilding" business. Central blazed through the regular season undefeated in league play and then captured its second league title last week, knocking off Cascade 15-12.
"If you had told me at the beginning of the year we'd even have a chance to win district again after losing nine seniors, I would not have believed you," CHS coach Sarah MacCarthy said. "As the season went on, however, I became aware that we were much better than half the other teams. Then we pulled out -- barely -- wins against teams like Molalla and LaSalle.
"At the district tournament, we got some nice draws, especially in doubles, and the girls played well."
No one played better than LeighAnne MacCarthy of Central. She was the top seed in singles and validated that selection by taking the championship.
MacCarthy faced teammate Christine Bansen in the finals and claimed a 6-2, 6-4 decision.
MacCarthy and Bansen both advance to the state tournament this week at the Eugene Swim & Tennis Club. MacCarthy played at state last season in doubles. | | Photo by Sam Scott | | Christine Bansen of Central returns a forehand during a May 8 match in the Special District 2 Tennis Tournament. |
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"For LeighAnne to return to state in singles after playing doubles last year is quite the accomplishment," Sarah MacCarthy said. "She did really well throughout the season, so we left her at singles. LeighAnne convinced me Christine is as good as the other top players in the league, so we went back to playing her at singles.
"LeighAnne told me she expected to play Christine in the finals, and that's exactly what happened."
MacCarthy dropped a total of five games in her first two matches. Things got a bit tougher after that. She won 7-5, 6-2 in the quarterfinals and 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 in the semifinals.
Bansen did not receive one of the four seeds. She beat the No. 4 seed 6-3, 2-6, 6-0 in the quarterfinals and the No. 2 seed 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals.
Central's Eden Olsen lost to the No. 2 seed in the first round. She later reached the semifinals of consolation play.
Stacy Marinelli of CHS won her first-round match but lost a three-setter to the No. 3 seed in the second.
In doubles play, CHS's Maren Geisler and Brittany Hinds, and Rachel Swanson and Amanda Hampton lost in the quarterfinal round. Both teams fell one win short of advancing to state.
Adriana DelaCruz and Aleysia Hauge-Cook won their first match but lost to a seeded team in the second round.
Emma Hall-Martin and Jayne Robison lost their first-round match. They won two consolation matches but were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
MacCarthy and Bansen both will play first-round matches at state Friday, May 16. Bansen will face Baker freshman Courtney Petry, and MacCarthy will take on Catlin Gabel senior Rivfika Shenoy.
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