The Pirate tennis team from the small town of Truckee, California, recently made a big splash at the Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association State Tournament. Led by their seasoned coach Donna Swanson and a talented roster of student-athletes, the Pirates showcased their skills on the pristine courts of the Tahoe Donner Tennis Center, proving that they were a force to be reckoned with in the 3A division.

Elevating the Game: Truckee Pirates Shine at the State Tournament

Doubles Duo Dazzles, Hadley Shines Bright

The Leavitt brothers, Marcus and Alex, qualified for the state tournament after a strong performance at the regional competition. Facing off against the #2 Northern team from South Tahoe High, the Leavitt duo battled hard but ultimately fell short, losing 5-7, 6-1, 0-6. Despite the defeat, their journey to the state tournament was a testament to their dedication and teamwork.Team captain Garrett Hadley, a third seed from the south, made a strong showing at the state tournament. He defeated Sebastian Guerrero of South Tahoe in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, before facing off against his archrival, Ido Goren of Adelson. Hadley had played Goren several times throughout the season, always coming close but falling short. This time was no different, as Goren, the returning state champion, bested Hadley 6-2, 6-0.Undeterred, Hadley entered the consolation game, where he faced the #1 seed from the northern region, Incline Village's Ross Hochberg. Proving the strength of the southern region, Hadley emerged victorious, taking the match 5-7, 6-0, 6-4, to claim the third-place title in the 3A division.

Unexpected Triumph: Zaden Hull's Remarkable Run

One of the surprise successes of the tournament was Zaden Hull, who entered the competition as an unseeded player. However, Hull quickly made a name for himself, claiming victory over Boulder City's Will Teeples, 7-5, 6-2, and then upsetting the fifth-seeded Bennet Forney of Boulder City, 6-2, 6-3. Unfortunately, Hull's remarkable run came to an end in the quarterfinals, where he was defeated by Boulder City's Logan Borg, 6-0, 6-1, just missing out on qualifying for the state tournament.

Pirate Girls Compete with Grit and Determination

The Pirate girls also made their presence felt at the tournament. Kaylie Freeman won her first-round match against Angela Tejeda of Mater East, 6-1, 6-2, before facing off against the top-seeded Yael Izkhahov of Adelson, ultimately falling 0-6, 0-6. Teammates Sydney Hatch and Nicole Patterson both won their first-round matches but were unable to advance further.The doubles team of Faith Kelly and Olivia Dalley, seeded eighth, secured a victory over Legacy's Rose Thompson and Amaiah Brooks, 6-1, 6-0, to reach the quarterfinals. However, they were unable to overcome the top-seeded duo of Chayce Larson and Madeline Morris of Boulder City, losing 1-6, 1-6.

Truckee's Triumph: A Reflection of Dedication and Coaching Excellence

The Pirate tennis team's performance at the state tournament was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, as well as the exceptional coaching of Donna Swanson. With 19 years of experience under her belt, Swanson has guided countless student-athletes to success, and this year's team was no exception."I am proud of all three boys and happy for Garrett," Swanson said. "It has been a pleasure to coach tennis for 19 years." She added that the students she has coached throughout her years have been amazing, and that they have "worked hard" to achieve their goals.The state champions in the 3A division were as follows: Team Champions – South Tahoe, Singles Champion – Ido Goren from Adelson, and Doubles Champions – Brodie Wallisch and Ralston Pierce of South Tahoe. While the Truckee Pirates may not have claimed the top spot, their impressive showing at the tournament has cemented their status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of high school tennis.