Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Thatcher’s tennis girls are the top-ranked team for the Division II state meet beginning April 23. The Eagles (19.0546 rating) host No. 16 Gilbert Classical (6.8309) at 3 p.m. Members of the Leah Meehl-coached Eagles are, from left, Ellie Alder, Maddie Palmer, Ashlyn McMasters, Lacie Whitmer, Savanna Turley, and Sydnie Alder.
By Raymundo Frasquillo
THATCHER – The Leah Meehl-coached Thatcher Eagles have the top-ranked girls’ tennis team for the Division III state meet. There are 48 teams in the division. Thatcher also ended first in the section.
Earlier in the season, she said, “We won’t know who the one to beat is until the state tournament.”
The state meet is upon us, and the Eagles host No. 16 Gilbert Classical (6.8309 rating), while No. 9 Safford (10.3271) visits No. 8 Tucson Sabino (10.4007), both for 3 p.m. starts Tuesday, April 23. The quarterfinals are at the higher seed a week later on April 30.
The Division III – Section I members were, rank and standings, No. 1 Thatcher (14-0 seeding, 19.0546 rating, 12-0 section) first, No. 9 Safford (12-3, 10.3271, 9-3) second, No. 15 Duncan (7-5, 6.1351, 7-5) third, No. 18 Benson (7-7, 4.1177, 6-6) fourth, No. 20 Willcox (6-8, 1.8301, 4-8) fifth, No. 23 Morenci (4-10, minus 0.6220, 2-10) sixth, and No. 29 Pima (4-10, minus 1.3646, 2-10) seventh. There are 48 teams in the division.
In the boys state meet, No. 4 Thatcher (16.8362 rating) welcomes No. 13 Chandler Arizona College Prep (6.5785), No. 12 Benson (6.6153) visits No. 5 Chandler Prep (12.9175), and No. 16 Morenci (3.6613) visits No. 1 Scottsdale Prep (20.8340), all for 3 p.m. starts Wednesday, April 24. The quarterfinals are at the higher seed a week later on May 1.
