The Saguaro girls tennis team started its season out strong with a 9-0 win over Deer Valley on Thursday afternoon on their new home courts. 

“These courts are so much nicer to play on,” said senior Morgan Pociask. “Now we don’t have to worry about tripping and the balls are always continuous.”

The old, beat up and blistered tennis courts had been there since the school opened up in 1966, according to girls head coach Frank Ruben. 

“They really deserved to get them,” said Ruben. “It was long overdue.”

Was it the sleek blue and green asphalt beneath them that led Saguaro to their success or was it the impressive performances from singles and doubles competitions? Maybe both. 

The Sabercats dominated singles competition with 6-0 sweeps from Rianna Muntean, Bella McGill, and Eva Tello. Maddy Nusbaum only dropped two games, defeating her opponent 6-0, 6-2, while Sophia Nadler kept the momentum going, finishing 6-1, 6-1.  

Muntean, who is only a sophomore, plays a mature game for her age. 

“She has a thirst for wanting to get better,” Ruben said. “She plays very smart.” 

After moving from California last year, Muntean quickly proved her abilities to the team. By the third match, she found herself at court one. Muntean was able to read her opponent's weaknesses to clinch the singles point for Saguaro.

“I think she could hit some balls back, but I hit some hard ones which were difficult for her,” said Muntean. “I was tense at first, but I think I loosened up throughout the game.”

Muntean also lent a hand in one of the three straight doubles matches won to close out the day. Partners Muntean and Nasbaum made smart plays on court 1 to secure their win. Nadler and McGill and Morgan Pociask and Madan Kuzel-Lehn took their doubles points, as well. 

This is Pociask and Kuzel-Lehn’s second season working with each other in doubles.

“You get less in your head when you're with someone,” said Pociask. 

“And it's also way more fun,” Kuzel-Lehn said.

The Sabercats will face the Cobras on Tuesday at Cactus High School at 3:30.