ROSEVILLE, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team lost for just the second time this season, falling to No. 2 seed Rocklin 7-2 on Thursday in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I final at Johnson Ranch Racquet Club.
"The outcome was not in our favor today," said senior Myra Anwar. "Everyone tried their best and the scores show how close it was. They pushed through and fought on every court. It was amazing to watch."
St. Francis, the top seed, had three three-set matches in singles with sophomore Alisha Anwar and sophomore Alex Evans fighting back after dropping opening. Both rebounded to take the second set before dropping third-set tiebreakers. Freshman Safaa Umar won her three-set battle at No. 5 singles for the team's lone singles win.
"I am beyond proud of them," said Head Coach Kristi Spector. "We knew this was going to be a tough match. Just because you are the top seed does not mean it will be easy. We had a tough match on Tuesday against Oak Ridge and we knew this going to be a tough match too."
Top doubles team of Bianca Arizona and Samantha Sonntag won in straight sets 6-4, 6-1 to clinch the first point of the match. Rocklin then won at No. 2 and 3 doubles and No. 1, 3 and 6 singles to clinch the match. But the Troubies kept playing until the end.
"I am super proud I how hard they fought," said Spector. "Even after the match had been decided, they stayed true to themselves and fought hard to the end."
St. Francis was playing in the Section final for the third consecutive season. The Troubadours were the defending champion from 2017 after a runner-up finish in 2016 when they knocked out Rocklin in the quarterinfals.
"I am always proud of my girls and how they play," said Spector. "They always put it out there no matter what their position."
St. Francis played without No. 4 singles player Izzy Asker, who could not play due to an injury. Sophomore Emmy Goebels stepped in to play at No. 6.
With the finals berth, St. Francis earns a spot in the CIF Northern California regionals.
"We love NorCals and it is a great experience for the girls," said Spector. "We will work this week on figuring out our lineup. The competition is always tough but it is what the girls work for all season long."
St. Francis (20-2) reached the CIF NorCals last season before falling to Los Gatos.
"It is not over yet but it has been a great season," said Anwar.
