A year after Oakdale High’s girls tennis team failed to challenge for the postseason, the squad has emerged as a clear threat to see postseason contests.
The Lady Mustangs erupted into Valley Oak League play with five consecutive victories and were likely a powder-puff injury away from staying undefeated during a narrow 5-4 loss to Kimball on Thursday.
With No. 2 singles player Lindsay Dunn out with an injury sustained during a football practice, Oakdale battled to only one singles victory and claimed all three doubles wins in a heartbreaker to tarnish a previously spotless league record.
Two Oakdale singles players claimed a set victory, but couldn’t take the tiebreaker in narrow decisions that ultimately decided Kimball’s win.
Coach Judy Vejar said the match was Oakdale’s best of the season despite the narrow loss. The team earns collective Athlete of the Week honors from The Leader for their efforts.