Thatcher Girls Tennis cruises past Pima 9-0 for seventh shutout of season

By Jon Johnson

*Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Pima’s Ashley Hughes returns a serve.*

PIMA — Section-leading Thatcher continued its dominant run Friday afternoon, blanking host Pima 9-0 in a Division III Section I match at Pima High School. The Eagles improved to 9-1 overall and a perfect 5-0 in section play. It marked Thatcher’s seventh shutout victory of the 2025-2026 campaign.

The Eagles’ only blemish remains a 2-7 non-section loss to undefeated Section II leader Pusch Ridge back on March 11. The Eagles have been nearly unbeatable since, rolling through section opponents with lopsided scores that have become a trademark this spring.

*Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Thatcher’s Sarah Sampson stretches to make the play.*

Friday’s match was no different. Thatcher’s lineup swept all six singles flights and all three doubles flights, never dropping a set in singles and allowing Pima just one tiebreak set in doubles.

*Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Thatcher No. 1 Sophia Haynie leaps into the air during her serve. Haynie defeated Ashley Hughes 6-0, 6-0.*

Singles results:

No. 1: Sophia Haynie (Sr.) def. Ashley Hughes (Jr.) 6-0, 6-0
No. 2: Sarah Sampson (Jr.) def. Merrill Decrow (Sr.) 6-1, 6-2
No. 3: Leah Bryce (Sr.) def. Audrey Bryce (Fr.) 6-3, 6-0
No. 4: Katie Bastian (Sr.) def. Perry Bingham (Jr.) 6-1, 6-2
No. 5: Jaiden Wakefield (Jr.) def. Morgan Russell (Jr.) 6-2, 6-3
No. 6: Savanna Kartchner (Sr.) def. Tynzli Hatch (Fr.) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles results:

No. 1: Sophia Haynie (Sr.)/Sarah Sampson (Jr.) def. Ashley Hughes (Jr.)/Merrill Decrow (Sr.) 8-2
No. 2: Leah Bryce (Sr.)/Katie Bastian (Sr.) def. Morgan Russell (Jr.)/Audrey Bryce (Fr.) 8-6
No. 3: Savanna Kartchner (Sr.)/Macady Kartchner (So.) def. Tynzli Hatch (Fr.)/Perry Bingham (Jr.) 8-2

*Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Pima’s Merrill Decrow shows off her backhand.*

The Eagles’ depth was on full display, with senior leaders like Haynie, Sampson, Bryce, Bastian, and Kartchner anchoring both singles and doubles wins. Freshmen and sophomores also contributed solidly in supporting roles.

Pima, now 3-4 overall and 1-3 in section play, dropped its second straight match but showed fight in several close games, particularly in the No. 5 singles and at the No. 2 doubles flights as the duo of Morgan Russell and Audrey Bryce took the team of Leah Bryce and Katie Bastian to the limit.

Thatcher returns home Tuesday, April 14, to host the Duncan Wildkats at 3 p.m. The Eagles will look to stay perfect in section play and keep their momentum rolling toward the postseason.

Pima will also be in action Tuesday, April 14, hosting the Morenci Wildcats at 3 p.m. The Roughriders will aim to rebound and pick up a key section win on their home courts.