Laguna Blanca’s girls tennis team lost by the closest of margins against Thacher in a Tri-Valley League match on Thursday in Ojai. The teams tied 9-9 in sets, and the host Toads prevailed in total games, 71-70.

Caroline Kenny, Natalie Schweitzer and Lucia Camp went 2-1 in singles, all suffering their losses against Thacher’s No. 1 player.

In doubles, the team of Katherine Ball and Grace Trautwein rebounded from a 6-0 loss and won their next two sets, 6-2, 6-3. In their only win on the day, Molly Morouse/Nikki Mielcarek rallied from 1-4 deficit for a 6-4 victory.

“I am very happy to see how these players improved their tennis and their athleticism after each game,” said first-year Laguna Blanca coach Santiago Segovia. “It is not magic, we are working very hard together during our practices to have a strong-minded team, and I am sure that we will be able to accomplish that. Our team’s spirit is also growing, and I want to show these players that nothing is unattainable when they work hard  and believe in themselves”
 

— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.