Aztecs women's tennis capture Region I Championship; four players win individual titles

The Pima Community College men's and women's tennis teams completed play in the Region I Tournament on Wednesday at the Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale.

The women's team won their second Region I championship in program history. It was their first since 2012. The Aztecs finished with a team score of 19 points. Eastern Arizona College and Mesa Community College each tied with 15 points while Glendale Community College had five points. Paradise Valley Community College did not score.

Cristina Oropeza (Nogales HS) and Yani Alameda (Pueblo HS) won singles championships in their individual flights. Oropeza defeated MaKenna Nelson from Eastern Arizona College 6-4, 6-3 to win the No. 2 singles title. Alameda beat Sheridan Skarda from Mesa Community College 6-2, 6-0 to win the No. 3 singles championship.

In doubles competition, Stephanie Nickles (Ironwood Ridge HS) and Jahnessa Mackey (Amphitheater HS) held off Vanessa Matrice and Sydney Madson from Mesa in the second set to win 6-2, 6-4 and capture the No. 3 doubles title.

The Aztecs sealed first place after Alameda and No. 2 doubles partner Ema Hernandez (Sunnyside HS) won their semifinals match in a three set thriller against Cassidy McWhorter and Madison Fleming from Eastern Arizona 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

"I could not have asked for a better finish to the season," Pima coach Gretchen Schantz said. "This team has continued to improve more than any team I've coached. This is a great title for Pima women's tennis."

The Aztecs will be a part of the NJCAA National Tournament at the Jim Reffkin Tennis Center (50 S. Alvernoon Way) from May 3-8.

• In men's competition the Aztecs finished in fourth place with two points. The Aztecs did not qualify for the NJCAA National Tournament because the top three teams advance to nationals. Mesa took first place with 16 points, Paradise Valley Community College was second with seven points and Glendale finished with two points but owned the tie-breaker against the Aztecs.

Francisco Ton (Nogales HS) lost in the No. 3 singles final match to Nick Silvestri from Mesa 6-2, 6-4. Josh Henkel (Canyon del Oro HS) dropped his finals match at No. 4 singles to Vitalli Kotelianets 6-0, 6-0.