ELK GROVE, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team defeated Franklin 7-2 Tuesday to complete the season sweep over the Wildcats and move one win closer to posting a perfect league season. The Troubadours also celebrated their six seniors before the match.

“Being part of tennis the past four years and seeing the team grow stronger each year has been awesome,” said senior Annie Gianulias. “We started out third in the league our freshmen year and we have built our way up to No. 1. It is pretty cool to see how we have grown together.”

St. Francis clinched the Delta League title officially last week, claiming the league pennant for the second consecutive season and the 27th in school history.

“To win it twice is pretty cool and a big deal for me,” said senior Abby Benvenuti.

After sharing the title with Franklin last year, the Troubadours wanted to defend their perfect league mark with a win in the final regular season home match.

“Today was an important match for the team as well as a couple girls individually who had really tough matches last time we played Franklin,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector.

Overall, St. Francis (13-2, 11-0) won four of the six singles matches. Freshman Adithi Benush avenged a straight set loss in the first match to post a 6-4, 6-3 win over Kayla Nguyen to set the tone for the Troubadours. Junior twins Kiya Jackson and Kyla Jackson posted victories at No. 3 and 4 singles, respectively. Junior Marisa Fat was also a winner in straight sets at No. 5.

St. Francis showed their lineup depth again with three wins in doubles.

“It is going to come down to the doubles in the playoffs and our doubles were strong and getting stronger,” said Spector.

Benvenuti paired with classmate Sabrina Voeller at No. 1 doubles to record a 6-2, 6-0 win. Junior Stephanie Fong and senior Macy Wood won at No. 2, while junior Cameron Parra and freshman Samantha Sonntag were victorious at No. 3.

“We work so hard and it is amazing that we were able to accomplish being undefeated,” said Voeller. “All of our work paid off.”

St. Francis closes the regular season with a match at Monterey Trail on Thursday. The playoff bracket will be announced on Thursday or Friday with the first round set for Oct. 31.

“For playoffs, we have to stay strong and play our hardest no matter what,” said Gianulias.

The senior class includes Bailey Avery, Benvenuti, Gianulias, Megan Kahn, Voeller and Wood. Benvenuti, Gianulias and Voeller are four-year letter winners with the program.

“They are always so encouraging and have shown me the ropes,” said junior Marisa Fat. “I have carpooled with them since freshman year. It has been really fun to get to know them, see them grow and help me grow. They mean a lot to the team and I love them.”

St. Francis 7, Franklin 2

Singles

1. Jacquie Tan, F, def. Myra Anwar, SF, 6-2, 6-0

2. Adithi Benush, SF, def. Kayla Nguyen, F, 6-4, 6-3

3. Kiya Jackson, SF, def. Jaylynn Tan, F, 6-3, 6-4

4. Kyla Jackson, SF, def. Hallie Wilson, F, 3-6, 6-3, 6-0

5. Marisa Fat, SF, def. Sara Shao, F, 6-2, 6-1

6. Alexis Rosales, F, def. Annie Gianulias, SF,

Doubles

1. Abby Benvenuti/Sabrina Voeller, SF, def. Sara Shao/ Winnie Zhao, F, 6-2, 6-0

2. Stephanie Fong/Macy Wood, SF, def. Sydney Leister/Milgo Wssa, F, 6-3, 6-4

3. Cameron Parra/Samantha Sonntag, SF, def. Courtney Luu/Emily Chan, F, 6-0, 6-1.