The girls’ tennis team settled things quickly in a decisive victory over Marion on Wednesday evening.  In a little over an hour, the Eagles had built a 4-0 lead and secured the team victory.  The final match, however, lasted for three hours before Delta could seal the deal for a 5-0 sweep.

The 20th-ranked Eagles won their ninth consecutive varsity match to improve to 11-2 on the spring.  Eight of the victories have been 5-0 sweeps.

Playing at home on an 80-degree afternoon, the doubles teams of Kelsey Vest/Katie Manor and Rowan Hinds/Alexa Bratton each romped to 6-0, 6-1 wins.  Elizabeth Bamidele also finished quickly, winning 6-1, 6-0.

No. 1 singles player Gabby Knight then turned in an impressive 6-2, 6-1 victory over Marion’s Shaeli Castraneda. A year ago, Castraneda had beaten Knight in a long match that ended 7-6 in the third set.  This time, Knight dominated from start to finish.

The long match this time took place at No. 2 singles.  Brylee Beckley fell behind early and dropped the first set to Graciella Solis, 4-6.  Beckley then pulled out a 6-4 victory in the middle set.  In the third set, Solis jumped to a 4-0 lead, but Beckley rattled off nine straight points to climb back into the match.  Beckley tied the score at 4-4, but then fell behind again 4-5 and 0-30, just two points from defeat.  Once again, she rallied to pull even and then surged forward for a 7-5 victory, ending the three-hour match.

In the JV match, Delta gained a 7-1 victory.

Next up for Delta is the Senior Day match and festivities on Monday, May 6.  The Senior Day ceremony will begin at 4:15 p.m., with the match against the Arabians to follow.  Seniors for the Eagles this season are Gabby Knight, Caitlyn Kirby, Grace Flowers, Sam Diaz, Hannah Swanson and Caitie Wright.

Complete results

DELTA 5, MARION 0

Varsity Singles

1. Gabby Knight def. Shaeli Castraneda, 6-2, 6-1
2. Brylee Beckley def. Graciela Solis, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
3.  Elizabeth Bamidele def. Ava Marroni, 6-1, 6-0

Varsity Doubles

1. Kelsey Vest/Katie Manor def. Ndow/Hubartt, 6-0, 6-1
2. Rowan Hinds/Alexa Bratton def. Fisher/Rai, 6-0, 6-1

JV Singles

1. Jocelyn Moody won 8-5
2. Ilicia Ritter lost 2-6
3. Noelle Longsworth won 8-4
4. Maggie Ratts won 6-1

JV Doubles

1. Sam Diaz/Mylee Jones won 8-1
2. Mackemzie Lipps/Ella Marcum won 8-2
3. Blaysha Downing/Sammi Raleigh won 8-4
4. Avery Barnes/Jax Hines won 6-0