Cruiser girls tennis clinches first league title since 2018

The Eatonville High School girls tennis team capped a grueling and triumphant week with a league title, their first since 2018, in a series of matches that tested the team's resolve and rewarded its perseverance.

The Cruisers secured the title with a 4-1 win Thursday over Washington High School on Senior Night, pushing their final league record to 11-1. The victory capped a perfect 3-0 week, following wins over Foss and Steilacoom earlier in the week.

Head Coach Alex Christensen credited his team’s determination and depth, particularly in overcoming the mid-week injury loss of senior standout Alayna Meyer.

“This is our first league title for the team since 2018,” Christensen said. “The girls showed their depth and resilience this week. Alayna is one of our top players, and we wouldn't have been in this position to win the league without her all season. Our girls had to step up and play their best with Alayna out. They took on this challenge, took care of business, and brought the title home. They definitely deserve this one.”

The week began Tuesday with a road match against Foss High School, where the Cruisers rolled to a 4-1 win despite an early setback. Eatonville was forced to forfeit the No. 1 doubles match after Meyer suffered a sprained ankle during the opening game and could not continue. The match ended less than five minutes after it began.

Despite the early blow, Eatonville’s singles and lower doubles teams dominated.

#1 Singles: Bailey Andersen cruised 6-0, 6-3.

#2 Singles: Amelia Ferreira controlled her match 6-1, 6-2.

#2 Doubles: Tia Schanbeck and Tierney Amaral posted a flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory.

#3 Doubles: Megan Blake and Jennavieve Smith dropped only one game in a 6-0, 6-1 win.

Back home Wednesday, the Cruisers faced one of their toughest league tests in Steilacoom, a team loaded with talent and led by an undefeated No. 1 singles player. Adding to the challenge, Meyer remained sidelined, forcing lineup adjustments across the doubles teams.

Eatonville responded by playing some of its best tennis of the year.

On her birthday, Bailey Andersen avenged her only league loss of the season with a commanding 6-2, 6-0 victory over Steilacoom’s top player.

#2 Singles: Ferreira dropped a hard-fought match 5-7, 2-6.

#1 Doubles: Lillian Bickford and Schanbeck rallied from behind in both sets for a clutch 7-6, 6-4 win.

#2 Doubles: Blake and Isabel Volk delivered a solid 6-3, 6-2 win.

#3 Doubles: Smith and Kate Marsh battled through a three-set marathon, pulling out a 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 victory to clinch the match.

Thursday’s home match had more than just tennis on the line. It was Senior Night, and the team honored 11 seniors—nine of whom play on the varsity squad.

The seniors did not disappoint.

#1 Singles: Andersen kept her momentum going with a 6-0, 6-1 rout.

#2 Singles: Blake, normally a doubles player, won a grueling 2.5-hour match 6-4, 6-7, 10-2.

#1 Doubles: Bickford and Schanbeck dominated 6-2, 6-0.

#2 Doubles: Volk and Amaral posted a clean 6-1, 6-2 win.

#3 Doubles: Smith and Marsh fell 1-6, 3-6 in Eatonville’s only loss.

The victory clinched the league title and put a celebratory stamp on the seniors’ final home match.

The following seniors were honored on Senior Night:

Bailey Andersen

Alayna Meyer

Lillian Bickford

Tia Schanbeck

Megan Blake

Tierney Amaral

Amelia Ferreira

Kate Marsh

Jennavieve Smith

Jillian Mitchell

London Turley

With the league title secured, several team members will shift focus to the South Puget Sound League (SPSL) Tournament at Clover Park, scheduled for Wednesday through Friday. The tournament will determine district qualifiers.

Singles competitors:

Bailey Andersen

Amelia Ferreira

Kate Marsh

Doubles teams:

Alayna Meyer / Lillian Bickford

Tia Schanbeck / Tierney Amaral

Isabel Volk / Megan Blake

With their league title in hand and key players heating up at the right time, Eatonville enters postseason play with momentum and confidence.