Royal Knights Shine at 1A State Tournament
In an impressive display of skill, the Royal Knights’ girls tennis doubles team, consisting of Madi Christensen and Campbelle Anderson, claimed third place at the 1A state tournament held last Saturday in Yakima. Excitement filled the air as Christensen reflected on their performance, noting,
“It was our last run, and I think we did pretty well against the private schools we played.”
Quarterfinals and Semifinals
Having secured a bye for the opening round due to their status as one of the top two teams in their district, the pair advanced directly into the quarterfinals where they faced Naches Valley. Anderson expressed her optimistic approach to the match, stating,
“I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I went in with high hopes. I wanted to do something special and do better than last year.”
They managed to overpower Naches Valley yet again, defeating their rivals—whom they had faced multiple times during the season—with scores of 6-3, 6-2.
However, the semifinals proved challenging. The duo encountered Overlake, who convincingly won the match, sending Christensen and Anderson to compete in the consolation bracket.
“They were a really good team,”
Christensen admitted, acknowledging their struggle against Overlake, with the Knights falling 6-1, 6-1.
Consolation Round and Final Match
Determined to rally back, the Knights prepared to face another familiar competitor, a Cashmere team, in the consolation round. Despite starting behind in both sets, Anderson noted that this slow beginning often helped kick-start their focus.
“That was kind of like a jump start for the game because we would start off a little bit slow and then we’d start to focus up and actually play our game,”
she explained. Their perseverance paid off as they bounced back to claim victory with scores of 6-2, 6-2, advancing them to the final match against Stevenson.
“We just knew we had to take it pretty seriously,”
Christensen reiterated, reflecting on the importance of their mindset heading into the final match. They emerged victorious with a dominant performance against Stevenson, winning 6-1, 6-2, and solidifying their third-place finish in the tournament. This accomplishment not only marked the peak of their senior tennis careers but also heralded their departure from high school as they graduate this year.
Reflections on the Season
The girls, who triumphed in both the subdistrict and district competitions, expressed pride in their achievements throughout the season.
“I think we had a pretty good season; I think state showed that,”
Christensen shared. Anderson echoed the sentiment as she recalled her initial nerves about meeting the standards set from the previous year. Now, reflecting on their journey, she feels proud of their accomplishments.
“I think we did a lot,”
she said regarding their competitive efforts.
Beginning of a New Chapter
Christensen and Anderson began their tennis endeavors in the eighth grade when their PE teacher and tennis coach, Rodrigo Fajardo, encouraged them to try the sport despite their initial reluctance.
“We weren’t too excited about it at first, but he wanted us to come out for a few practices, so we just tried it out,”
Anderson reminisced. Once they started high school, their parents insisted they choose a sport, leading them back to tennis. What began as a casual approach blossomed into a deep passion for the sport and a chance to forge lasting friendships within the tennis community.
As they prepare for the next chapter of their lives at BYU Provo this coming fall—Anderson pursuing a nursing degree and Christensen focusing on interior and landscape design—both seniors remain open to continuing their tennis journey. Although they haven’t signed up for collegiate tennis just yet, Christensen shared her intent to keep honing her skills through local tournaments.
Conclusion
The Royal Knights girls team’s journey at the state tournament exemplified their resilience, determination, and camaraderie, marking a fitting conclusion to their high school athletics experience.
