MADELINE BEYER earned one of Benicia’s two wins against Rocklin.

The greatest season in Benicia High girls tennis history finally came to an end Friday after a 7-2 loss to visiting Rocklin.

It was the first and only loss of the year for the Lady Panthers (18-1), who were denied a berth into the Northern California Tournament two days after winning the school’s first Sac-Joaquin Section championship. Rocklin earned the Section’s second bid into NorCals, joining Division I champion Oak Ridge.

“We did our best against a very experienced team and I am proud of their efforts today,” said Benicia first-year head coach Lisa Burton. “Nothing takes away from this incredible season of going 15-0 in the SCAC and 18-0 as the Section champions. As I told them (Thursday) at practice, they are my dream team and a team like this doesn’t come around every year. So savor this great season.”

No Division II team has ever beaten a Division I team in the Section’s NorCal play-in match, and Benicia was no match for Division I runner up Rocklin. The Lady Panthers were without No. 1 singles player Michelle Li, who had to travel to Phoenix for a club soccer commitment. The rest of Benicia’s singles ladder had to move up a notch and Gabriella Traver – promoted from No. 1 doubles to No. 6 singles – rolled to a 6-4, 6-0 victory and finished the season unbeaten.

“She played a smart first set figuring out strategies, then smoked the second set with booming serves and forcing winners,” Burton said.

Madeline Beyer battled to a 6-3, 6-4 victory in No. 3 singles, but that was it for Benicia as Rocklin won the other seven matches in straight sets.

Lacy Wilburn got her first postseason action when she teamed with senior Adeline Morley at No. 3 doubles. Megan Klein took Traver’s spot with Katie Voss at No. 1 doubles.

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