Things finally are rounding into shape for the Durango High School girls tennis team.
DHS head coach Dave Weisfeldt has his lineup set the way he wants it, and that squad took home a third-place finish at the Delta County Invitational on Saturday.
“That was a pleasant surprise,” Weisfeldt said. “We had a great day.”
Aspen won the tournament, while Montrose finished second.
Durango’s No. 3 doubles team of Elli Gervais and Hailee Pritchard finished first at that position by beating a team from Montrose 2-6, 7-5, 7-5.
“They did struggle in that first set, but they got it in gear and buckled down,” Weisfeldt said. “We’re seeing the proof in the pudding here with some of our lower teams being more successful, and I think that has a lot to do with the experience they were able to gather playing up earlier in the season.”
Ali Carey and Jenny Snowberger beat Delta 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4 doubles to claim the third-place trophy.
“They’re just getting used to each other on the court, and we’re finding out that they complement each other pretty well,” Weisfeldt said.
The No. 2 doubles team of Rachel Cooper and Eva Eckstein lost 6-2, 6-2 to Fruita Monument in a fifth-place match to finish sixth.
Emma Hagen and Audrey Morris lost 6-2, 6-2 to Montezuma-Cortez in the No. 1 doubles fifth-place match.
“There’s a little concern there,” Weisfeldt said. “What Cortez is doing is a little unconventional and threw them out of a loop. The good thing about that is we have another crack at them Tuesday.”
Kit Hackett won 6-2, 6-2 against Fruita to finish fifth in No. 1 singles.
“She’s the type of player that builds the rest of her game based on how the serves are going,” Weisfeldt said. “When that clicks, she’s a tough opponent.”
No. 2 singles player Maggie Hackett fell 6-3, 6-4 to Hotchkiss to finish sixth.
“She played a pretty good game, but her consistency was a little off,” Weisfeldt said. “Her opponent was able to move and really use the aerial game. That put Maggie out of her rhythm.”
Meredith Nass beat Montezuma-Cortez 6-1, 6-0 to finish fifth in No. 3 singles.
“She cruised,” Weisfeldt said.
The Demons will host Montezuma-Cortez at 4 p.m. Tuesday at DHS in its final regular-season match before regionals May 3.
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