Thursday, Oct. 12, 2000 | 10:10 a.m.
Celebrating courtside, Bishop Gorman's girls tennis team brought to a close a battle that had lasted an entire season with Bonanza on Wednesday.
The Gaels, three-time defending 4A state champions, advanced to the state championship in Reno next week, downing the Bengals 13.5-9 to win the Sunset Region championship at Western High School.
The win wasn't without a fight, as the Gaels swept only the doubles matches while the Bengals earned their nine points by winning all nine single matches.
"Nothing was certain today," said Bishop Gorman coach Gordon Hammond. "This is second time we've changed the lineup."
Gorman faced a back and forth battle this season with Bonanza, with the two schools splitting their two matches.
"It was a positive rivalry," said Bonanza coach Shawn Seiler said. "Gorman is the team to beat."
Bishop Gorman's twin powerhouses, Christian and Catrina Thompson, were split up for doubles play and matched with Katie Tydall and Alice Madekic, respectively, with both teams going 3-0. Adding to the doubles sweep, Kristen Turner and Allison Davis also turned in three victories.
Bonanza's main power was derived from its ability to win all singles matches Wednesday. Trisha Piercy, Samantha Davidson and McKenna Ford swept nine singles sets for a point apiece. Doubles matches are worth 1.5 points each.
Also on Wednesday, Silverado defeated Green Valley 17.5-5 to earn Southern Nevada's second state berth. Sabrina Cappanolo and Annabelle Janairo combined to go 5-0 in singles for the Skyhawks, while Lauren Martines and Jasmine Smith teamed up for a pair of doubles wins.
Silverado recently completed a 17-0 regular season.
"I don't know who Reno has, but Silverado will be tough" Hammond said, referring to the two-day state competition starting Oct. 19 at Reno's Plumas Tennis Complex. "I'm just really happy about getting this far. This was our biggest goal."
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