SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Franklin closed out a four-an-half hour match over St. Francis with straight set win at No. 3 doubles to take the first match between two of the top teams in the Delta League.

“Our team fought really hard today,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “We played through the heat. It was a great match and good information for when we play them again.”

Battling temperature that reached 100 degrees Monday, St. Francis fell behind in singles with losses at No. 1 and No. 2 singles. The final four singles all went three sets with the two teams splitting the final results. The Troubadours got their first point from sophomore Kyla Jackson, who posted a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win over Jaylynn Pan at No. 3 singles.

After close loses by sophomore Marisa Fat at No. 4 and freshman Myra Anwar at No. 5, junior Abby Benvenuti posted a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 comeback victory at No. 6 to force the match into doubles.

“She was a tough player,” said Benvenuti, who remained undefeated at 7-0 on the season. “She got every ball back. She had some good shots and I was getting frustrated. I pulled through by pushing.”

At sunset, the match moved to the lighted courts at Rio del Oro Racquet Club. Needing to sweep, St. Francis came up short but not without a fight.

Eden Elliott and Megan Kahn won at No. 2 doubles 6-1, 6-4. Cameron Parra and Sabrina Voeller combined for a three-set win at No. 1 doubles to tie the match at 4.

“They were a really strong team and they had some strategies we had to adjust our styles to,” said Parra. “We had to try some new things and move them around to make them uncomfortable. That is how we were able to pull through.”

After winning the first set 6-3, the Troubies dropped the second 6-3 with the match still in doubt.

“Sabrina is really good at helping me calm down because I can get nervous some times,” said Parra. “She helps me relax and the coaches help calm us down. We just try to play to the best of our ability and hope that works.”

They pulled out the third set to win the point and tie the match at 4. But Franklin secured the win with a victory at No. 3 doubles, winning the second set in a tiebreaker.

St. Francis (7-1, 5-1) plays at Monterey Trail on Thursday.

Franklin 5, St. Francis 4

Singles

1. Jacquie Tan, F, def., Avery Spector, SF, 6-0, 6-1

2. Kayia Nguyen, F, def. Kiya Jackson, SF, 6-4, 6-3

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

4. Kathleen Gin, F, def. Marisa Fat, SF, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4

5. Hallie Wilson, F, def. Myra Anwar, SF, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4

6. Abby Benvenuti, SF, def.  Kajal Maran, F, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

Doubles

1. Cameron Parra/Sabrina Voeller, SF, def. Rachel Yee/Lara Lam, F, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4

2. Megan Kahn/Eden Elliott, SF, def. Lesley Wong/Vanessa Wong, F, 6-1, 6-4

3. Veda Reddy/Sara Shae, F, def. Izzy Samuel/Stephanie Fong, SF, 6-4, 7-6