The Juan Diego Catholic High School girls tennis team tied for 10th at the 3A state championships at Liberty Park Oct. 5.

Freshman Piper Nordstrand, playing at No. 1 singles reached the quarterfinals by defeating American Heritage’s Halina M Downs 6-0, 6-2 before losing to Rowland Hall’s Elena Owens 6-3, 6-4. “Piper played well against Elena,” said head coach Heather Foy. “It was so close.”

Three lineup spots advanced to the Round of 16 including freshman Ananya Kongara and the No. 1 doubles duo of senior Lauren Foy/sophomore Sophia Longtain and the No. 2 doubles pairing of seniors Nicole Morgan/Keira Ahearn.

Kongara beat St. Joseph’s Leona Smoll 6-4, 6-2 and then lost to Grantsville’s Riley McBride 6-0, 6-2. “She played her hearts out against Riley,” coach Foy said.

Foy/Longtain had a first-round bye at the tournament before getting beat by Morgan’s Willa Anderton/Isabella Dickman 6-2, 6-0 for the second time at state. Last year, it was in the semifinals.

Morgan/Ahearn defeated Delta’s Meg Carroll/Paige Hillner 6-0, 6-3 and then lost to Morgan’s Sydney Jensen/Kaitlyn Carter 6-3, 6-0.

At No. 3 singles, sophomore Leila Harline also qualified for state but lost to Union’s Jerzie Davis 7-6, 6-4 in the Round of 32. “Against Jerzie it was a very close match,” coach Foy said. “Leila played great.”

As Juan Diego looks ahead to next season, the team will be playing on new courts. “It is a huge investment in the tennis program,” said coach Foy. “They are post tension so the quality is going to be incredible. I am so excited!”