Mustangs survive a l-o-o-o-o-n-g 1st day

The Mustangs are tied for third place in the abbreviated tournament, advanced all three singles spots and No. 4 doubles to the semifinals, and have opportunities for Nos. 2 and 3 doubles to get into playbacks.

“I’m really, really happy with what happened,” head coach Jera Sturgell said.

But not with the weather – all three classifications of the tournament had already been switched from three days to two, but 4A also was delayed Friday because of cold temperatures and wet courts. Play didn’t begin until 11 a.m. and lasted well past dark.

“It was very difficult,” Sturgell said.

Still, the Mustangs, third a year ago, remained in position.

At No. 1 singles, sophomore Lauren Manwiller took out Cori Campbell of Air Academy 6-1, 6-3 in the first round and Longmont’s Rebecca Pavot 6-3, 7-5 in the quarterfinals. Of note, she will take on Niwot’s Lucy Lu, the defending No. 1 singles champion, in Saturday’s semifinals.

The Mustangs’ Mikayla Phelps beat Durango’s Lily Chick 6-4, 6-1 and Palmer Ridge’s Bali Fitzpatrick 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the final four at No. 2 and Megan Sandy handled Kent Denver’s Annie Mannassee 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 and Longmont’s Taylor Merz 6-0, 6-1 to move through at No. 3.

And No. 4 doubles Brooklyn Hanley-Parker Durand, also regional champions along with Manwiller, needed a three-setter and a sweep to make their semis group.

“They’re playing great and having all three singles advance as well as No. doubles is really good,” Sturgell said.

In addition, the doubles teams at No. 2 (Abby Gilbert-Rebecca Watts) and No. 3 (Chloe Golenzer-Tierney Scanlan) await matches on Saturday to see if they can be put into playback rounds.

Niwot and Cheyenne Mountain will enter Saturday tied for first in the team chase with 19 points apiece.

Play will open on Saturday at 9 a.m.