STOCKTON, Calif. – The St. Francis tennis team lost a tough 5-4 match to St. Mary’s in the quarterfinals of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Championships. St. Mary’s advanced to face Del Oro in the semifinals.

“I gathered the girls after the match and looking at all of their faces, I told them I was so proud of how hard they worked all season long,” said Head Coach Kristi Spector. “For such a young team, they came together and improved drastically all season.”

St. Mary’s prevailed by winning three of the six singles matches and two of the three doubles. Four of the matches went three sets with the two teams splitting them.

Sabrina Voeller and Cameron Parra won a three-set battle at No. 3 doubles as the Troubadours went 3-1 in three-set matches. Freshman Marisa Fat closed out her season with a three-set win at No. 4 singles. Annie Gianulias (16-0) completed her undefeated campaign with a 3-5, 7-5, 1-0 (8-6) victory at No. 5 singles. She prevailed despite being down 5-2 in the second set and 6-4 in the third-set tiebreaker.

Kyla Jackson also posted a win at No. 3 singles.

“They were a pleasure to watch and I could not be more proud of them,” said Spector. “They far exceeded my expectations and I am super excited to work with them in the future.”

The team returns the six singles players and five of the six doubles players from their postseason lineup. Alyse Andre was the only senior on the roster this season.

“We are going to work out together and work hard in looking forward to the next couple years,” said No. 1 singles player Avery Spector.”

St. Francis finished the season with a 14-4 record, advancing the Section quarterfinals and placing second in the Delta League.

St. Mary’s 5, St. Francis 4

Singles

1. Abbie Mulbarger, SM, def. Avery Spector, SF, 7-5, 6-2

2. Mackenzie Basso, SM, def. Kiya Jackson, SF, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4

3. Kyla Jackson, SF, def. Alyssa Ellis, SM, 6-1, 6-2

4. Marisa Fat, SF, def., Hannah Ketcherside, SM, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2)

5. Annie Gianulias, SF, def. Megan Doe, SM, 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (8-6)

6. Blair Coughlin, SM, def., Abby Benvenuti, SF, 6-4, 6-2

Doubles

1. Julia Cardona/Christian Cardona, SM, def., Eden Elliott/Jordaine Tran, SF, 7-6, 6-1

2. Martelle Bernabe/Tessa Garibaldi, SM, def. Megan Khan/Alyse Andre, SF, 6-4, 6-3

3. Cameron Parra/Sabrina Voeller, SF, def., Nicole Mason/Veronica Contreras, SM, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3