Photo by: Todd Weber
Bulldogs Defend Home Courts: Ellensburg Tennis Sweeps Toppenish at CWU
ELLENSBURG, WA — The Ellensburg Bulldogs protected their home turf at the CWU Lister Tennis Courts on Friday, March 20, delivering a pair of dominant 4–1 victories over the visiting Toppenish Wildcats. Both the boys’ and girls’ programs displayed a blend of clinical efficiency and competitive grit to secure the dual match sweep.
Girls Program: Button’s Resilience and Redfearn’s Masterclass
The Bulldog girls continued their stellar start to the season by winning four of five matches. The highlight of the afternoon was 1st singles player Hope Button, who showcased immense mental toughness. After dropping the first set 4-6, Button roared back to take the second 6-4 before her opponent, Rylie Carter, was forced to retire.
On the neighboring court, Kate Redfearn was nearly perfect at 2nd singles. Redfearn dictated the pace from the opening serve, surrendering only one game in a 6-0, 6-1 clinic.
The doubles teams also stepped up to seal the team victory. Grace Lester and McKenna Franklin handled business at 1st doubles (6-4, 6-3), while Sylvia Gruber and Kyrstin Van Komen secured a 6-4, 6-4 win at the 2nd spot. The lone blemish was a heart-pounding 3rd doubles match where Marely Martinez Soltero and Cat Castillo fell just short in a three-set marathon (3-6, 6-3, 6-4).
Boys Program: Burnham and Garcia Set the Tone
The Ellensburg boys mirrored the girls’ success with their own 4-1 victory, led by a powerhouse performance in the singles rotation. Matthew Burnham, moving into the 1st singles slot, was dominant in a 6-0, 6-1 win over Joseph Phyette. James Garcia was equally impressive at 2nd singles, surrendering only one game in a 6-1, 6-0 victory.
The Bulldogs’ depth in doubles proved to be the difference maker. The 2nd doubles pairing of Cass Welsh and Boston Seamons earned a hard-fought 6-3, 6-3 win, while Elliot Hammond and Atlas Walker cruised at 3rd doubles with a 6-0, 6-2 triumph.
Match Results Summary
Girls Tennis vs. Toppenish (EHS Wins 4-1)
- 1S: Hope Button (EHS) def. R. Carter (4-6, 6-4, Ret.)
- 2S: Kate Redfearn (EHS) def. I. Cardonas (6-0, 6-1)
- 1D: Lester/Franklin (EHS) def. Hurley/Lopez (6-4, 6-3)
- 2D: Gruber/Van Komen (EHS) def. Eppinette/Partida (6-4, 6-4)
- 3D: Mena/Cerda (TOP) def. Martinez Soltero/Castillo (3-6, 6-3, 6-4)
Boys Tennis vs. Toppenish (EHS Wins 4-1)
- 1S: Matthew Burnham (EHS) def. J. Phyette (6-0, 6-1)
- 2S: James Garcia (EHS) def. J. Diaz (6-1, 6-0)
- 1D: Godines/Gonzalez (TOP) def. Wenz/Clausen (6-1, 6-1)
- 2D: Welsh/Seamons (EHS) def. Manzo/Pachecco (6-3, 6-3)
- 3D: Hammond/Walker (EHS) def. Marquez/Gomez (6-0, 6-2)
What’s Next
With the home sweep in the books, the Bulldogs carry significant momentum back into CWAC league play. The consistency at the top of the singles lineups and the emerging chemistry in the doubles pairings suggest both squads are peaking at the right time.
