BENICIA HIGH’S girls tennis team swept into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals after a dominating victory over visiting Bella Vista on Tuesday.

Benicia High’s girls tennis team swept into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals after a 9-0 victory over visiting Bella Vista on Tuesday.

Melanie Fisher won 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2 singles for the Lady Panthers and teammate Emily Jewik won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 4. Kaitlyn Tang (6-0, 6-2) and Madison Lammert (6-2, 6-1) put Benicia within one win of a team victory and Madeline Beyer wrapped it up early with a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 3 singles.

“I tried to mix things up and change the pace,” Beyer said. “I wasn’t hitting a lot of hard balls. I was just moving her back and forth and all around the court.”

Benicia No. 1 singles player Lily Hayward was still on the court, locked in a tight match unaware her teammates had already clinched a win.

“I had no idea,” said Hayward, who battled her way to a 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) victory. “I like the pressure. It helps me, as weird as that seems.”

Benicia’s doubles teams completed the sweep. Katie Voss and Mariah McNalley cruised to a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 1. Neha Yadav and Kati Steinemen rallied for a 4-6, 7-6 (7-2) victory at No. 2, and Sam Pacheco and Viva Traver won 7-5, 6-2 at No. 3.

“The Panthers proved today they are ready for postseason play,” said Benicia head coach Lisa Burton.

The Lady Panthers – who won their first-ever SJS title two years ago – travel to Sacramento on Monday for a semifinal match against McClatchy, champions of the Metropolitan Conference.

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