Benicia High’s girls tennis team had its season come to an end Monday after a 7-2 loss to McClatchy in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals.

It was the first loss of the season for Benicia, which was looking for its second Section championship in the past three years. The Lady Panthers managed to win two singles matches against McClatchy but got swept in doubles.

Benicia No. 1 singles player Lily Hayward was up 4-6, 6-3, 5-4 when McClatchy’s Shirley Kwong retired. Madison Lammert earned Benicia’s only other win, a 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) victory in No. 5 singles. Melanie Fisher lost 7-5, 7-5 in No. 2 singles while Madeline Beyer fell 6-3, 6-4 at No. 3. Emily Jewik lost 6-1, 6-1 in No. 4 singles and Kaitlyn Tang lost 6-3, 6-3 at No. 6.

Benicia’s doubles teams were swept in straight sets. Katie Voss and Mariah McNalley lost 6-4, 6-1 in No. 1 doubles. Neha Yadav and Kati Steinemen fell 6-1, 6-2 in No. 2 doubles, while Sam Pacheco and Viva Traver lost 7-5, 6-4 at No. 3.

“We are very proud of this team’s accomplishments and records and will miss our seniors Lily Hayward, Mariah McNally and Katie Voss,” said Benicia tennis coach Lisa Burton.

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