WILLOWS, CA (MPG) – A narrow 5-4 victory on the road last Thursday over the Willows Honkers propelled the Colusa RedHawks to their first league title in more than a decade.
Having suffered a loss to the Honkers back on Oct. 5, which tied the two teams at the top of the Sacramento Valley League standings, the RedHawks withstood the challenge to take the season’s rubber match and the championship as well.
“It was a nail biter,” said Coach Melissa Michalk. “We split the singles and two doubles, so it came down to the No. 1 doubles match. Our girls were able to remain calm and force them into mistakes which allowed them to pull away.”
Colusa’s No. 1 Olivia Nair (6-4, 4-6, 10-7) posted a singles win, as did No. 3 Vianey Farias (6-0, 6-2), and No. 6 Janell Garcia (6-1, 6-2).
Garcia and partner Ashley Perez took care of business in the No. 3 doubles match, cruising to an 8-1 victory, before the No. 1 duo of Nair and Savanna Rochette triumphed 8-3 to give the RedHawks the advantage they needed.
As a result, the newly minted SVL champs received the No. 4 seed in the Northern Section CIF team championship tournament and entertained No. 5 West Valley (Cottonwood) on Oct. 17.
