Morenci welcomes Thatcher on Thursday

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Emily Kempton looks the ball into her racquet for a backhand return against Morenci on March 25. The Duncan senior top seed prevailed in two sets over Morenci’s No. 1 and along with Camille Miller, also posted a doubles win. Duncan hosts No. 47 Globe while No. 33 Morenci hosts No. 13 Thatcher on Thursday, March 27.

By Raymundo Frasquillo

MORENCI – The Brenda Street-coached No. 33 Morenci (1-3 seeding, minus 3.8128 rating) tennis girls host No. 13 Thatcher (4-2, 5.4558) on Thursday, March 27.

Coming up around the section the rest of the week (March 27-29) are No. 47 Globe at No. 6 Duncan, No. 36 Willcox at No. 32 Miami, and No. 23 Safford at No. 24 Pima on Thursday, March 27; Willcox at No. 9 Tanque Verde, and Benson, Globe, Morenci, Safford, and Thatcher at the Roberds Miami Invitational on Friday, March 28.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Ariza Espinoza smiles as she taps her racquet with doubles partner Izzalana Gobert following a positive play against Duncan. The Morenci No. 1 singles teamed up with her classmate for doubles.

On March 25, Duncan won 9-0 over Morenci, Pusch Ridge won 9-0 over Safford, Willcox won 9- 0 at Patagonia, and Pima won 9-0 over Globe. Pusch Ridge won 5-4 over Thatcher, and Tombstone won 5-3 over Benson on March 26.

The Thatcher at Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian, Duncan at Patagonia, and Willcox at Morenci pairings for March 13 were rescheduled for March 26, April 7, and April 21, respectively.

During the first week of the month, it was Thatcher over Safford 9-0 and Duncan over Patagonia 9-0 on March 3; Willcox over Duncan 9-0, Apache Junction over Miami 7-2, and Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic over Morenci 9-0 on March 4; Thatcher over Tucson Sabino 9-0 on March 5; and Benson over Tucson Andrada Polytechnic 5-4, Eloy Santa Cruz over Globe 9-0, Morenci over Tombstone 6-3, and Thatcher over Chandler Prep 7-2 on March 6.

Duncan placed first with 20 points in the H.T. Clothier Invitational, Benson second (7), Tombstone third (6), Globe fourth (3), and Saint David did not score on March 8.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Izzalana Gobert looks for the placement after making a backhand return.

The second week of the month had Duncan over Pima 8-1 on March 10; Thatcher over Globe 9-0, Duncan over Benson 7-2, Willcox over Saint David 9-0, and Miami over Globe 9-0 on March 11; and Benson over Saint David 9-0 on March 13.

There was a week-long pause in competition from March 17-22.

Division III rankings

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Camille Miller keeps her eyes on the ball as she anticipates making a successful return.

The Division III rankings for the nine Section I member teams as of noon on March 27 were Duncan (5-0 seeding, 7.3595 rating) No. 6, Thatcher (4-2, 5.4558) No. 13, Safford (1-2, minus 0.3817) No. 23, Pima (1-1, minus 0.8805) No. 24, Miami (1-2, minus 3.7455) No. 32, Morenci (1-3, minus 3.8128) No. 33, Willcox (2-2, minus 4.7556) No. 36, Benson (1-3, minus 4.9409) No. 38, and Globe (0-4, minus 11.3436) No. 47.

Division III – Section I standings

The section standings as of March 27 were Duncan (5-0 seeding, 1-0 section) first, Thatcher (4-2, 1-0) second, Miami (1-2, 1-0) third, Safford (1-2, 0-0) fourth, Pima (1-1, 0-0) fifth, Morenci (1-3, 0-0) sixth, Willcox (2-2, 0-0) seventh, Benson (1-3, 0-1) eighth, Globe (0-4, 0-2) ninth.