Ralston Valley girls tennis on a tear

The Ralston Valley girls tennis team began the 2015 season on a high note and it’s hasn’t dropped a bit since opening day.

Ralston Valley, coached by Kim Greason, tied Mountain Vista in the Western Slope Invitational in Grand Junction to open the season back on March 14th. Since then, the Mustangs have won nine duals, including six Jefferson County League matches. Among those nine dual victories have been five shutouts.

“It’s been a fine season as we have a lot of depth on our ladder,” Greason said. “We have girls that play different sports and that certainly adds to their athletic abilities. Once the girls get started in a game it just becomes a matter how they finish. They just don’t want to lose out.

“The way they have done this season speaks a lot about their accomplishments,” continued Greason. “They just want to go out and play their best and that’s what I expect of them. I do think that we are peaking at the right time and the girls are playing hard. I think we have the ability to be one of the top five teams in the state at this time. You always want to be better and that is our goal.”

Ralston Valley has been able to pull off shutout victories against Pomona, Northglenn, Bear Creek, Dakota Ridge and Arvada West. Denver South, Columbine, Lakewood and Steamboat Springs have been the only teams to avoid shutouts against the Mustangs.

The top three singles players for Ralston Valley are seniors Isabella Melena, at No. 1, and Risa Eck, at No. 2, while sophomore Murphy Hare has been solid at No. 3.

“Isabella has come a long ways and this is her second year at No. 1 singles,” Greason said. “She is talented and puts in a load of hard work. Number one singles is hard in our class, as expected. She wants to play in college and will go to Durry College in Missouri. They are a nationally ranked Division II team and she will be a fine addition.”

Melena has only lost twice this season and she is feeling confident she can still go a long ways in state.

“I feel that as a team we have come together and I think we are certainly able to complement one another,” Melena said. “We just want to go out and do the best we can regardless of the situations and teams that we face. I just want to stay focused and cohesive with the team.”

Eck has one loss on the year while Hare has been beaten twice.

“Risa is one of the most humorous on the team,” Greason said. “She certainly is a team leader, as well for us. Expectations, of course are high on what she should be able to accomplish this season. Murphy worked her way up from number one doubles as a freshman. I think she also will be one of the more highly rated players next season as she has come a long ways.”

Eck and Harr are also high on the expectations of their team and what they hope to personally accomplish.

“I was confident that we would have a good team this season and I’ve got those good teammates,” Eck said. “I had no clue at the beginning of the season that I would be at number two on our team. I just played my matches hard in practice and was able to move up.”

Certainly similar thoughts from Harr.

“This is turning into a fine season and it has all been worth the efforts,” Harr said. “At the first of the year I didn’t think I would be playing singles. But I’ve worked hard and glad that I have done well.”

Adrienne Horowitz and Haley Weidemann are playing strong at number one doubles and have yet to lose any matches this season.

“Adrienne and Haley were at No. 4 doubles last year and they placed third at state,” Greason said. “They are one of the best doubles tandems that we have had in my 12 years here. They just seem to see things on the courts that others don’t seem to see. They have been able to figure out on their own out there on the court as to what has to be done. They are my rocks.”

Lucy Sherman and Kelsey Maas are also unbeaten at number two doubles.

“They also have such fine techniques and I think they can go far,” said Greason. “They have really started to gel and they put those strokes together. They are fun to watch. Winning at Grand Junction was such a huge win for them and such a confidence builder to begin the season.”

Karleigh Kimble and Maddie Wewe hold down the Number three doubles position while Priya Keller and Riley Knipp close out the Ralston Valley varsity lineup at Number four doubles.

“Karleigh and Maddie certainly help give us depth,” Greason said.

“Priya and Riley are fun to watch,” continued Greason. “They are new to the varsity and growing in their stature on the court.”

It certainly does appear that the Ralston Valley girls are going to go a long way this season.

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