Carson boys and girls tennis fall in playoffs

Carson coach Pat Houlihan was ironically beaten by one of his "own" so to speak in the first round of the Northern 4A playoffs.

Carson lost at Manogue 11-7 on Tuesday as the Senators were able to win seven of nine matches, but lost all nine singles matches. Josh Caron and Bryt Lewis led the way as they won all three of their doubles matches.

"We couldn't hold up to their singles players," Carson coach Pat Houlihan said. "They've got some very good singles players."

One of those singles players, Houlihan knows quite well in senior Ryan Ashmore, who Houlihan has tutored.

"He is a really outstanding person," said Houlihan about the Manogue singles player. "We always wish him the best."

Caron and Lewis swept their matches 6-4, 6-2, 6-1. "They've done a real good job this season," Houlihan said.

Also in doubles, Adam Houghton and Nathaniel Hamer won 6-3, 6-0 and Nick Smallman and Chris Wear came back from a close 4-6 loss to win 6-2, 6-1.

Houlihan said for his program to continue to improve, particularly in singles, his players will have to continue to play club tournaments. "It takes people to play tournaments," he said.

But Houlihan also noted he was pleased with his team's performance this year. "I was real excited about the kids this season," he said.

GALENA 15, CARSON GIRLS 3

Defending state champion Julie Burgarello won both of her matches 6-0, 6-0 to help lead Northern 4A power Galena to the first round playoff win. In singles for Carson, Lisa Midboe and Shanni Eng both won 6-0. Carson's other win came in doubles where Sarah Asp and Jenni Hood won 6-3. Kristi Philippi and Kristen Charles led one match 4-3 before falling 4-6.

Asp also teamed with Elise Hansen to play well in a 2-6 loss and Meagan Carter and Emily Wang played well in doubles.

Carson coach Diane Baker Roberts said she was pleased with her team's play this year, but also noted that her players need to continue to play in club tournaments as well. "We just need to work on our kids about playing in the summertime," Roberts said.