Portales teams cruise at Northern New Mexico Invite

SANTA FE — The way the Portales High tennis teams played this weekend in Santa Fe, it's almost a shame they have to leave.

All things considered, the Ram teams will enter Monday's home meet with Clovis on a good note as the boys team won the Northern New Mexico Invite while the girls placed second in the eight-team fields.

The boys lost just one of their 16 matches against Espanola Valley, Capital, Palo Duro and St. Michael's, with two singles matches and two doubles matches against each. The Rams beat Palo Duro 3-1 and swept the remaining three in the championship bracket.

The girls faced five teams, and went 4-1 with 4-0 wins over Espanola and Raton, 3-1 wins over Capital and Palo Duro and a 3-1 loss to invite champion St. Michael's.

It was difficult for Portales coach Ann-Marie Bucksath to single out any particular boys player for a great weekend.

"They all played well," Bucksath said. "I mixed it up. Nobody had the same doubles partner (as in previous weeks). Everybody stepped up and played well together."

Regarding the girls, Bucksath said, "Timberlyn (Neece) had a great match against Capital's No. 1 girl. She didn't win it, but had some great rallies. Zamorye (Cox) did well for her second match since basketball season, and Sarah (Blaeser) is continually getting stronger and more consistent. Also, Kelly Fraze had very consistent, aggressive serves."

Portales will host Clovis Monday with singles flights starting at 3 p.m. at the Bill Wahlman Tennis Center.