Despite the tiebreaker that forced the Lady Mustangs to enter the 2012 Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs with the lowest possible seed, Oakdale’s girls tennis team didn’t go down without a fight. They ended their season with a 5-4 loss to Whitney on Monday, Oct. 29 in the opening round of the postseason.

Oakdale tied Sierra for runner-up honor in the Valley Oak League standings, but was designated to the No. 3 seed from the VOL after tiebreaker criteria came into play. The seed dropped Oakdale into an out-bracket round of sorts to decide the 16th and final position in the D-II bracket.

The round forced Oakdale to travel to Rocklin to face host Whitney of the Capital Athletic League.

Oakdale lost two of the three doubles matches and three of six singles matches to just miss qualifying for the next round and a showdown with top-seeded Bella Vista.

The defeat was a somber end to a terrific season for a talented group of players that will return most of the team in 2013.

Coach Judy Vejar said she couldn’t be happier with the group, who always show up ready to work and give their all for the team.

“They play their very best game after game,” she said.

Francesca Orvis, who joined Nicole Dickens on the third place VOL doubles team, continued her torrid pace of postseason success with 6-0, 6-0 wins against Whitney. Christine Winders (6-2, 6-4) and Taylor Davis (6-2, 6-4) landed big wins on the singles court as well.

Oakdale’s lone doubles win came in 6-4, 6-2 fashion from Madison Lane and Alyssa Flores. Taylor Kelley and Alyssa Perigen, as well as Melissa VanDyke and Rachelle Pabalan, represented Oakdale with tough doubles efforts in defeat.

Kalkidan Curtis, Katie Odom and Dickens struggled to losses on the singles court despite their best efforts.