ELK GROVE, Calif. – Sophomores Kiya and Kyla Jackson were part of the Laguna Creek Racquet Club’s Coed 18 & Under Intermediate team that captured the Northern California championship title at this year’s USTA Northern California Junior Team Tennis Summer Coed Section Championships on August 1-2 in Elk Grove.

“I think it was pretty cool because we had home court advantage,” said Kiya. “When you were playing, everyone was watching us in center court. Our doubles match was the deciding match.”

The win secured a spot for the team to compete at the 2015 USTA Junior Team Tennis National Championship in Columbia, S.C. The national championship will be held on Oct. 22-25, 2015.

“Our coach put a lot of pressure on us but I was not nervous,” said Kyla. “I knew we had to win and I play with my sister so I was not afraid.”

The Jackson sisters were part of a lineup that included two singles players, two doubles teams and a mixed doubles team. The team includes players from both Franklin and Cosumnes Oaks High Schools.

The match was tied at 2 before they clinched it 3-2 with the win in doubles.

“We know how to communicate with each other,” said Kyla. “If I have a different partner, I am afraid to tell them what they did wrong. With us, we just tell each other and help each other out.”

The Jackson sisters are part of a team from Elk Grove and Laguna Creek Racquet Club, a Spare Time Club and the first to clinch a berth at a national junior team tennis tournament.  Mark Fairchilds, Director of Tennis at Laguna Creek Racquet Club, coached the team that posted an undefeated overall season record of 12-0. The team qualified as the top seed in the Coed 18 and Under Intermediate group earning the right to represent northern California.

Before heading to South Carolina in October, the Jacksons will turn their attention to the high school season.  The both played in the Troubadour singles lineup as freshmen.

“I learned a lot about tennis and what is means to be on a team,” said Kiya. “I have it with my summer team but (playing for the school) is different because you make friends with the girls you go to school with (at St. Francis). I learned how to play better and be a better teammate.”

Kiya went 12-5 on the season playing at No. 1 and 2 singles, while Kyla was 15-2 overall at No. 2 and 3 singles. They combined to reach the semifinals of the Delta League doubles tournament. The duo from Elk Grove both earned All-Delta League honors in the first season.

The team has established a GoFundMe account (http://www.gofundme.com/sa55n574) to help fund tournament expenses.

The St. Francis tennis season opens with the B.O.S.S. Tournament Aug. 28-29.